Jimbo Jones's Convenience Store

Enter The Wu-Tang (The Clean Version)

2011-06-05T12:00:00.001-07:00

Heya folks. Here's an exclusive for this blog (again) - something I've been piecing together over the last few days.

Basically, now I've got kids in my life, I'm a bit curtailed with what I can play and watch and all that sort of stuff, so I decided to start putting together my own clean versions of classic hip hop albums. After a bit o thought, I decided to start with "Enter The Wu-Tang (36 CHambers)".

Now, it sort of came about by the lack of an official version - don't get me wrong, there IS an official version of sorts, but you can't buy it anywhere and you can't download it from amazon in the UK, so that sort of left me stuck. I wanted to buy it but I couldn't.... what's a brother to do?

Well, it just so happens that I put my editing hat on, and pieced together a fully clean version of the album - an even more complete version than the official clean release: that one only had 9 tracks, and this one has ALL the tracks (I've even separated them up into skits and songs, rather than leave the skits tagged onto the start or the end of the proper songs).

You can see the state of the clean version here on Discogs.... it's not massively impressive.

I've also taken the liberty of re-editing a couple of the officially re-recorded clean versions, because to be quite honest they weren't very well done and I think mine are better (that's me, always full of myself!).

Anyway - here you go: tracklist after the link. Enjoy!

Enter The Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers (Full Clean Version)

1. Bring Da Ruckus
2. Shame On A Nuh
3. Killa Bees Interlude
4. Clan In Da Front
5. Where My Killer Tape? (skit)
6. Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber
7. Can It All Be So Simple Skit
8. Can It All Be So Simple
9. Protect Ya Neck
10. Intermission
11. Da Mystery Of Chessboxin
12. Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuttin Ta F' With
13. C.R.E.A.M.
14. Method Man
15. Tearz
16. Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber Part II
17. Method Man Remix
18. Conclusion

swiftfm!

2011-05-01T14:14:00.001-07:00

It has been a LONG time since I posted anything up here.... I'm SO sorry! All change again this end. Moved for a second time in six months, and now living in a lovely house with the family, got a record room set up, and everything now much more settled than before.

Anyways.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us
If you're at a loose end, I started a swiftfm account. If you don't know what they are, then here we go: you can link / upload any track you want onto there, one by one, and anyone can listen to them streaming. It's like making your own mixtape and posting it up on the net. You can skip tracks, re-click on them and repeat a couple if you want, and so on.

Check out my page: My Playlist!

Tracks included so far.....

Put Everything Together - Plus
It's Time To Breakdown - The Supremes
Do What You Gotta Do - Eddie Drennon
Walk On By - Cal Tjader
We All Got To Hep Each Other - Kenny Rogers

You get the general idea. :)

Smiley Culture RIP

2011-03-16T12:26:00.000-07:00

...and you probably would have heard about Smiley Culture too. This death is slightly less clear cut than Nate Dogg's, as he died in unusual circumstances.

Metro account of Smiley's death

Let's re-look at a couple of his classics... I got his Tongue In Cheek album (from 86) and a couple of singles that I still play out now. :(

^ cuts out JUST before the end! :(
Full version here (no video) Police Officer

Rest In Peace Dave... You'll be sorely missed. :'(

Nate Dogg

2011-03-16T12:10:00.001-07:00

By now you'll have heard the horrible news that Nate Dogg has died aged 41. I can't believe it... I knew he'd had a stroke but I didn't expect him to pass away this soon. Unbelievable. Let's reaquaint ourselves with some of his best.

And, for a bonus smile on the face on what has been a pretty shitty day for music (what with Smiley Culture's death reported in the media as well - see separate post), here's the legendary wikipedia entry for "Regulate". Enjoy, and Regulate In Peace, Nate. :)

On a cool, clear night (typical to Southern California) Warren G travels through his neighborhood, searching for women with whom he might initiate sexual intercourse. He has chosen to engage in this pursuit alone.

Nate Dogg, having just arrived in Long Beach, seeks Warren. Ironically, Nate passes a car full of women who are excited to see him. He insists to the women that there is no cause for excitement.

Warren makes a left at 21st Street and Lewis Ave, where he sees a group of young men enjoying a game of dice together. He parks his car and greets them. He is excited to find people to play with, but to his chagrin, he discovers they intend to relieve him of his material possessions. Once the hopeful thieves reveal their firearms, Warren realizes he is in a considerable predicament.

Meanwhile, Nate passes the women, as they are low on his list of priorities. His primary concern is locating Warren. After curtly casting away the strumpets (whose interest in Nate was such that they crashed their automobile), he serendipitously stumbles upon his friend, Warren G, being held up by the young miscreants.

Warren, unaware that Nate is surreptitiously observing the scene unfold, is in disbelief that he's being robbed. The perpetrators have taken jewelry and a name brand designer watch from Warren, who is so incredulous that he asks what else the robbers intend to steal. This is most likely a rhetorical question.

Observing these unfortunate proceedings, Nate realizes that he may have to use his firearm to deliver his friend from harm.

The tension crescendos as the robbers point their guns to Warren's head. Warren senses the gravity of his situation. He cannot believe the events unfolding could happen in his own neighborhood. As he imagines himself escaping in a surreal fashion, he catches a glimpse of his friend, Nate.

Nate has seventeen cartridges (sixteen residing in the pistol's magazine, with a solitary round placed in the chamber and ready to be fired) to expend on the group of robbers. Afterward, he generously shares the credit for neutralizing the situation with Warren, though it is clear that Nate did all of the difficult work. Putting congratulations aside, Nate quickly reminds himself that he has committed multiple homicides to save Warren before letting his friend know that there are females nearby if he wishes to fornicate with them.

Warren recalls that it was the promise of copulation that coaxed him away from his previous activities, and is thankful that Nate knows a way to satisfy these urges. Nate quickly finds the women who earlier crashed their car on Nate's account. He remarks to one that he is fond of her physical appeal. The woman, impressed by Nate's singing ability, asks that he and Warren allow her and her friends to share transportation. Soon, both friends are driving with automobiles full of women to the East Side Motel, presumably to consummate their flirtation in an orgy.

The third verse is more expository, with Warren and Nate explaining their G Funk musical style. Warren displays his bravado by daring anyone to approach the style. There follows a brief discussion of the genre's musicological features, with special care taken to point out that in said milieu the rhythm is not in fact the rhythm, as one might assume, but actually the bass. Similarly the bass serves a purpose closer to that which the treble would in more traditional musical forms. Nate displays his bravado by claiming that individuals with equivalent knowledge could not even attempt to approach his level of lyrical mastery. Nate goes on to note that if any third party smokes as he does, they would find themselves in a state of intoxication almost daily (from Nate's other works, it can be inferred that the substance referenced is marijuana). Nate concludes his delineation of the night by issuing a threat to "busters," suggesting that he and Warren will further "regulate" any potential incidents in the future (presumably by engaging their antagonists with small arms fire).

Sesame Street Tribute

2011-02-19T04:40:00.000-08:00

Man I love Sesame Street. It's one of the big things that helped me learn to read when I was a kid. It's SUCH a great show. Been watching the DVDs recently. Anyway, here's some of the best guest spots from the show over the years. :)

FLASHBACK TIME!

2011-01-24T12:09:00.000-08:00

............and, just for fun......

Shogun Assassin

2011-01-17T00:58:00.000-08:00

"It's the tender tale of a mighty swordsman trying to balance his career as an assassin with the problems of being a single dad while being stalked by legions of extremely hypertensive ninjas." - AnimEigo (current official distributors)

Well, this is one of my top five movies of all time. The story of Daigoro and his dad, who have been targeted by the Shogun and his henchmen (and cheating sons), and who now works as a hired swordsman, this is an unbelievably dope film. The soundtrack is amazing, the sound effects are stunning, the dubbing is great, and overall it's one of the best exploitation films of the 80s.

Saying that, it's probably best that I explain its origins for those who may not know them.

Back in 1970, the characters of Ogami Ito (the dad) and Daigoro (the son) first appeared in a Manga written by Kazuo Koike (with art by Goseki Kojima). The basic story was this: Ogami Ittō was the Shogun's executioner. Disgraced by false accusations from the Yagyū clan, he is forced to take the path of the assassin. Along with his three-year-old son, Daigorō, they seek revenge on the Yagyū clan and are known as "Lone Wolf and Cub".

The story eventually stretched to 28 volumes. It was ridiculously successful in Japan (selling at least 8 mill) and the rest of the world when it was translated. (The English version eventually emerged 17 years later.)

Of course, something this popular and visual couldn't help but be made into a film. Well, six films, to be exact.
The first was released in 1972 as "Kozure Ōkami: Kowokashi udekashi tsukamatsuru", or - if your Japanese isn't up to scratch - "Wolf with Child in Tow: Child and Expertise for Rent". In the West, the film was titled "Lone Wolf and Cub - Sword Of Vengeance".
The second film - "Lone Wolf and Cub - Baby Cart at the River Styx" (aka "Kozure Ōkami: Sanzu no kawa no ubaguruma", or "Wolf with Child in Tow: Baby Cart of the River of Sanzu") emerged in the same year, along with the next two in the series ("Baby Cart To Hades" and "Baby Cart In Peril"). Number 5 ("Baby Cart In The Land Of Demons" followed in 1973, and the sixth film ("White Heaven In Hell") came out in 1974. All of the films starred Tomisaburo Wakayama as Ogami Ito and Akihiro Tomikawa as Daigoro, and were directed by Kenji Misumi.

All clear so far? Good, good. Because this is where it gets a bit confusing.

David Weisman, an underground filmmaker who had ties with Andy Warhol's Factory, obtained the rights for the original films for $50,000 from the American office of Toho Studios. Weisman was a fan of the movies, and together with Robert Houston (who played Bobby in Wes Craven's original The Hills Have Eyes) they pieced together a massively simplified version of the first two films that excised any reference to the clan wars - or anything particularly complex - and invented a whole new narrative. They had to restructure the two films so that three hours of film was edited down to just over 80 minutes.
Weisman and Houston hired deaf lip readers to match dialogue to the lip movements of the original Japanese actors. They filled in the narrative gaps left (after all, the film was two seperate stories added together) by adding voice-over narration by Daigoro, performed by 7-year-old Gibran Evans (son of the poster illustrator, Jim Evans). Rounding out the spoken word talent to create this Frankenstein's Monster of a film were Lamont Johnson and Sandra Bernhardt, who provided the voices for Ogami Ito and the Supreme Ninja respectively.

Finally, Houston and Weisman added an eerie, electronic-based score by Mark Lindsay (who was the lead singer for Paul Revere and the Raiders), although some of the original music from the OG Lone Wolf films remained.

"Shogun Assassin" emerged in 1980, released by Roger Corman's New World pictures.

The basic plot now goes like this:
Ogami Ito was the Shogun’s executioner after his many years serving as his master samurai. As the shogun becomes older and more senile, he becomes increasingly intimidated by Ito. The Shogun decides to assassinate him, but instead, the assassins he sends kill his wife.
Ito then escapes with his son Diagoro and is chased to the ends of Japan by a slew of would be killers. It is believed that when the Lone Wolf loses his son, he loses his power as well, and he is tested multiple times, up until his confrontation with the masters of death and the shogun himself. With his son and his cart armed with blades, and other assorted tricks up their sleeves, Itto seeks out justice, but will he find it?

You REALLY need this film in your life: if you haven't seen it, the two main cultural references that most people will know this film for are from Kill Bill Part II (where two of the main characters watch it on video) and from the Gza album "Liquid Swords", where the dialogue is ruthlessly pillaged.

Not convinced? Check this out.

Hong Kong Phooey

2011-01-02T09:40:00.000-08:00

So, in the Jones household, me and the girls are watching Hong Kong Phooey. One of my favourite programmes from when I was a kid. :)

For the uninitiated, Hong Kong Phooey started in 1974, at the height of the blaxploitation / kung fu crazes in the US, which of course led to the great mixture of Scatman Crothers and the hellafied funky background music, and the kung-fu theme.

Here's the opening sequence.... "Who is this superhero? Sarge? Rosemary, the telephone operator? Penry, the mild-mannered janitor?"

Man I love this programme. It's not long enough to get boring, it's got stupid jokes in it, Spot is great, the villains are hissable, the soundtrack is amazing, and Scatman Crothers (as Jones family friend Guy pointed out) is the best cartoon voice ever.

Both volumes of the series are available in certain high street shops.... ah the hell with it, HMV sell it nice and cheap. All the episodes on two DVDs? Yes please.

For the younger viewers out there, this following clip is NOT Hong Kong Phooey.

WHAT THE HELL IS THAT? ^

*shakes head*

Anyway. Here's a proper bit of the PROPER TV show.

Ready To Die - The Premo Edition

2011-01-02T09:32:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hi there folks..... life got in the way of me doing any music stuff for a while there.... and prevented me from posting anything up for you lovely people! What with a horribly emotional start to 2010, and a massive change in living style, I haven't been doing that much on the internet that I've been able to share, but I'm back (albeit a bit more periodically than before).

So, without further ado, here's my new mixtape: Biggie verses + DJ Premier beats!

Ready To Die - The Premo Edition

You can guess how it pans out... Biggie acapellas and Premo beats.
Not all the tracks are from Ready To Die, and I couldn't get all of the acapellas - not sure that ANYONE has got all of them, but I went for all acapellas from 94 and before, so the same era.

Let me know what you think.

Peace out!

Laddergoat!

2010-11-11T13:04:00.001-08:00

Celph-Titled + Buckwild

2010-11-02T02:30:00.001-07:00

Man, as I've been laid up in bed for the last four days (including today), I downloaded the new Celph-Titled + Buckwild album "Nineteen Ninety Now". MAN. That shit is SICK.
If you don't know the background to it, then basically somehow Celph-Titled has gotten hold of a load of Buckwild beats from the 90s, and recorded a solo album using them. POW. Dope idea. Here's a couple of the tracks to give you a flavour:

Mad Ammo (ft RA The Rugged Man + FT)

Swashbuckling (ft Apathy, Ryu + Esoteric)

^ AMAZING posse cut.

So, let's break it down.

1. The Deal Maker
Classic smokey blunted DITC horn loop, tight skull-snap drums. great abstract one liners...
"This is my movie in 3D, slice your neck with a Fugees CD / and stick Lauryn Hill with the coroner's bill"

2. Out To Lunch ft Treach (Naughty By Nature)
Nice dancehall-flavoured loop to start with, echoey atmosphere, sounds like a damp basement. Drums stuttering away and a confused, atonal series of samples overlaid on top with a sort of echo from . Treach kills it in an understated way - I've not heard a decent verse from him for years.

3. Eraserheads ft Vinnie Paz
Massive sounding beat... really warm sounding, harps all over the place. Classic 90s sound. Nice 8 bar alternating from Celph + Vinnie (who I don't normally rate that much).
"And when we're holding a tech, we'll put a hole in your neck, leaving you with a permanent T-Pain vocal effect"

4. F__kmaster Sex
Starts off with a Funkmaster Flex sample... hahaha. DOPE loop, I can't understand why this wouldn't have been used back in the 90s... anyway. Sex rhymes. If that's your thing then you'll love it.

5. Swashbuckling ft Apathy, Ryu + Esoteric
The first bit of pull-back scratching on this is weak.... but apart from this, this is AMAZING. Beat is absolutely SICK. It's like an old Gang Starr posse cut - four MCs, four beats. And check out Apathy's double-time Big L style flow about 50 seconds in. Amazing. Apathy steals it.

6. I Could Write A Rhyme
Now THIS sounds like a beat that could have come off the first Big L album. Beautiful swirly sample that comes in during the verse, and a really introspective and nostalgic opening verse that I think would benefit from being partially reprinted here.
"Booty shake bass music, I was into that / Poison Clan, 2 Live Crew, that's what got me into rap / Looping tracks with fast hi-hats and 808s / Four track machine with the high speed cassette tape / Now keep in mind that I was a fan, but as MCs we all are, and very few of us become stars / Went from blasting Magic Mike to grabbing the mic / Tried to sound like Spice-1, and not Rapper's Delight / E-40 to Ice Cube, the West Coast had a lot to do with the type of beats I'd write to / but still the Juice Crew was one of my favs / never discriminated whether New York or LA..."

7. Hardcore Data
Nice DITC horn stab in this, almost Bob James style keys on it too. Laid back track, but battle lyrics delivered in a mellow but menacing tone. Nicely done.

8. Mad Ammo ft RA The Rugged Man + FT
Well, Jones family favourite RA THe Rugged Man crops up, which means I would have copped this track eventually anyway... Beat is sick with a Lauryn Hill sample anchoring the chorus. The real suprise is that RA flows a bit off-time. Doesn't sound as precise as usual, but then RA was recording with Buckwild back in the 90s for real, so I shouldn't criticise. Even so, this isn't the greatest track on the album lyrically or thematically. Still a good'un though.
(Note: The skit beat at the end of this track is worthy of a track of its own.)

9. Tingin
Whoah.... menacing! It's got that creeping down a dark alley feel, claustrophobic keyboards and string stabs, with horns floating in and out. Very threatening.

10. There Will Be Blood ft Sadat X, Grand Puba, AG, OC + Diamond D
Awwwwww yeeeeeeaaaaahhhhh... it's that classic 90s stab sound. Heavy drums, one stab, crowd sounds making up the rest of the track. Great stuff. Add what basically amounts to DITC and Brand Nubian, this is a KILLER.

11. Miss Those Days
Well, we've heard this sample before, but it's still SICK. (NY Salute - MOP, and the Beatminerz remix of D'Angelo's Brown Sugar.) One of those nostalgic tracks that kills it, not unlike Luda's Growing Pains. You get the general idea. Dope.

12. Step Correctly
Nice sample and heavy drums again (how many times have I written that in this review?). Trippy sped up sounding 60s sample.... sounds like it could have been from Edan's second album. Good random punchlines again - Celph killing it.
"I was a stick up kid, it was fucked up but fun / (why?) Cos I used a Nintendo duck hunt gun"

13. Wack Juice
Wow. This is a proper attack on wack rappers. Almost on a par with Kool Keith at his late 90s best. No-one specific mentioned (that I could tell), but hard-hitting nonetheless. I'm liking the beat switchups on this one. Niiiiiiiiiice.

14. Styles Ain't Raw ft Apathy + Chino XL
Back to the classic DITC sound for this one - very clean sample, tight drums (with a subdued sleigh bell, obviously). Chino comes HARD on this one.
"I pray for your death and I pray that I'm the cause of it / Idiot, killing a blind man with his own walking stick"
(Note 2: again, the beat skit at the end is great... very much like a Pete Rock interlude.)

15. Where I Are
Interesting beat, chorus isn't overgreat but the verse loop is nice (very smooth sounding vibe sample). Chorus IS weak though. Shame.

16. Time Travels ft Majik Most + Dutchmassive
Perfect ending track - mellow, a great "time travels on" theme. Leaves the album on a great note.

Overall? The Jones opinion is...
5/5 album. Amazing - a couple of less-than-perfect moments, but very few and far between. A proper 90s hip hop classic.

As a special treat for you if you're still not convinced, here's a quick promo track Celph-Titled leaked using 4 Buckwild beats (including Big L's Put It On). Enjoy!

Buck's Four Course Meal

I'm back? Oh yeah, I'm back.

2010-11-02T02:21:00.000-07:00

Heyaaaaaaa

First up, loyal readers, I'd like to apologise for the MASSIVE lack of updates over the last few months. Life has a habit of catching up with you and basically taking over from anything else.
For my part, I'm no longer living in my house, I've split with my ex (now been six months), been living in a flat, started back at work and it's that time of year where school stuff takes over with new groups and all that, so I've been a bit pre-occupied. Hopefully things are settling now though... and for the record, I hope you're all doing well :)

Anyways. Bring on the updates.

Funniest Video Of The Month

2010-09-11T10:30:00.001-07:00

New Mystro - FYAAAHHHHHHHHHH

2010-09-06T00:33:00.000-07:00

Mystro is a good dude, and he's dropped a new EP called "Digmund Freud", which you should cop legally so he gets his dues (you can get it on Amazon)!

Here's a dope track off it, called "Around My Way".

Props Mys!

One Of My Favourite Stories

2010-08-31T05:46:00.000-07:00

I can't remember for the life of me where I first heard this, or where it's supposed to be from, but I think it's worth repeating. I've repeated it to friends to try and buck their spirits up - hopefully it's worked!

Anyway.

There was this King, who had a massive palace. He wanted a mural to put in his special thinking room, so he called in the three most reputable artist-designers in the Kingdom, and told them what he wanted. His brief was: "it needs to be something that makes me happy when I'm sad, but when I'm happy, it will remind me that happiness won't last forever and therefore I should cherish it while it lasts."

So, the three artists go off, and then come back just before the midday deadline, a week later.

The first artist pulls forth his easel and stands in front of the King, who tells him to take the cloth off the canvas so that he can see the artists' design. So, the artist pulls the cloth back, and there's a picture of two dogs, one standing looking left, and the other standing looking right.

The King looks at this, a bit puzzled, and says "what's this?"

The first artist says "Well, you see.... umm.... THIS dog is looking left, which signifies happiness, and THIS dog is looking right, which signifies..."

"GET OUT!" shouts the King. "THIS is what I paid you for? NEVER come back here, you useless artist. NEXT!"

The second artist comes forward with his easel, and pulls the cloth off his canvas with a little flourish, and reveals a painting of five rings (not unlike the olympic logo).

The King looks puzzled, and then frowns at artist number two, who starts shaking a bit, and then haltingly says to the King "uuummmm..... well, your majesty.... these rings represent the different facets of happiness, as represented by their different colours.... you see.... the green one represents...."

"GET OUT! GET OUT! GET OUT!" screams the King, face red, jabbing his finger towards the door, looking a bit like Tasmanian Devil. The second artist scurries away, leaving his easel. The King gets off his throne and kicks the easel over for good measure.

The third artist steps forward, looking nonchalant. The King's eyes start squinting. The third artist walks forward, bringing his easel, and whips off the cloth covering his design.

The King looks at it for a moment, frowns, then looks again, then a smile breaks onto his face and he leaps forward and smothers the third artist in a bear hug, saying "Thank you, thank you, thank you! That is PERFECT!"

And on the third artist's canvas, there is no painting, no real design to speak of, just four words, in remarkably neat text.

The words are: "THIS TOO SHALL PASS."

Antoine Dodson

2010-08-24T14:41:00.001-07:00

OK, so I'm late on this, but it's hilarious. Not the fact that the woman was attacked. That wasn't funny at all. But the brother is absolutely hilarious. How was this aired?
Watch the first clip. The second clip just KILLS it. Amazing.

Big L... Lifestylez Ov Da Poor And Dangerous

2010-08-24T13:49:00.001-07:00

Note: this is an edited down version taken from here. Check the full article out.

Lifestylez Ov Da Poor And Dangerous.... with a track by track breakdown after each video by Lord Finesse. (Read the full article here.)

Background:

Devil's Son (L's first 12")

Finesse: At the time it was somebody by the name of David Kahne [working as L’s A&R at Columbia]. He was like the person who was responsible for getting L signed, and he loved all that devil’s son shit. [Says in nasally white-guy voice] “Oh wow, this is great!” It’s like, “Are you serious?” Because we had to make [L] change a line in “Devil’s Son” because it was [like], “You’re too out-of-order.” What was the line… “I’m killin’ chumps for the cheapest price / I’m rollin’ with Satan,” [and instead of then saying “not Jesus Christ”] it was “F Jesus Christ.” But we made him change it to “Not Jesus Christ.” [We were] like, “Yo, what the fuck are you doing?!”

Horror-core was out [at the time], [and so] with the Gravediggaz, and Nas saying what he said on [Main Source’s] “Live At The Barbeque,” [L was] like, “Oh, y’all think that’s ill? Oh okay, alright.” That was his attitude… [Like at the end of “Devil’s Son” when he says] “I’d like to give a shout-out to all the thieves, murderers, robbers, rapists, and a special, special shout-out to everybody that got AIDS. Peace.” How the fuck do you say that at the end of a fuckin’ song, man?

The Album:

Lifestylez Ov Da Poor And Dangerous

01. Put It On ft Kid Capri (prod: Buckwild)

Finesse: [Columbia Records] wanted something with a hook that would be kinda catchy, and something they could get radio play with. Like, everything [L] did was dark, and it was gangsta, and it was…what was the [popular style at the time]? Horror-core. So they needed something bright, something friendly. And “Put It On” just matched everything perfect.

I don’t think that was the last song [recorded for the album]. I think the last two songs actually were “Street Struck” and “M.V.P.”

“Put it on,” the slang…was like… “do your thing.” “Put it on Big L, put it on…” [meaning] you gotta do your thing, you gotta represent.

Kid Capri is like really somewhat an honorary member of D.I.T.C....because Capri has been there for damn-near all the members since the beginning. Whether it was [my] Funky Technician LP – that’s where I first met Kid Capri at, was The Castle [nightclub in the Bronx]. Me, Show and all of us used to hang in The Castle. [So] we used to see him on a weekly basis, and he would break [our] records [for us]. If he liked it he played it… And that’s how Funky Technician – him and Brucie B broke [that], just like [he broke Showbiz & A.G.’s] “Soul Clap,” and [Kid Capri was responsible for] how Show got the hook for “Party Groove”: “Do the bend, and stretch.” We was Kid Capri junkies with [his mixtapes]. So he’s always been like an honorary member of D.I.T.C. And [so] L wanted him to do the hook because of his pizzaz, because of his style, ‘cause of his character and because of his voice. [He was like], “Damn, if I get Kid Capri on a hook, this gon’ be the shit.”

02. M.V.P. (album version prod: Lord Finesse; video version prod: Salah)

Finesse: [Notorious B.I.G.] got the idea [for his remix single version of “One More Chance”] from [the original version of “M.V.P.”] ‘Cause L was opening up for Biggie, [before Ready To Die was released and long], before that remix [for “One More Chance”] came out, and L was [already performing] “M.V.P.” They just took that [DeBarge “Stay With Me”] loop and stripped it down… But I know they heard that from [L], ‘cause that remix was no way done before “M.V.P.” was done. [And I know] because I was there during the making of the Ready To Die album ‘cause I did “Suicidal Thoughts.” So, if I woulda heard they used it before L used it I woulda never used it.

That song came about because L wanted a commercial, R&B loop that everybody could recognize. And me remembering that [DeBarge] record, and also remembering how Kid Capri used it way back when he did – I forgot which record he did, but he had that [song], and I’m like, “Damn, well maybe we could reinvent that right there.” And L heard the loop and was like, “Yeah, that’s it!” But, [with] Diggin’, we had to have the right drums, the right everything [to go with a sample], and we dressed it up in a way where we tried to keep it Hip Hop. [But] then [Diddy], he would take just everything off of something and just use it straight naked.

I don’t know who did that [“Summer Smooth Mix”]. Like, after we came with the album, Sony would hire different people to remix – you know, put they spin on the record. [The L.G. remix of “Put It On”], I liked that one actually. It was mellow, it was dark…I liked that one. [Columbia Records was] gonna do what they wanna do at the end of the day, because they the label. Regardless what we liked; fuck what we like. [Laughs] If they [felt] they liked something they went with it. All L had to do was approve it – he did have to do that, you ain’t gonna just have somebody remix his shit and he don’t like it. And he did like [the “Summer Smooth Mix”]. And he liked it to the point where he wanted that to be his [official] remix…[and then] his video [for the single].

(Note: you can check the official video here.)

03. No Endz, No Skinz (prod: Showbiz)

Finesse: [I didn’t try to coax him into writing more female-friendly lyrics] ‘cause L had a sick sense of humor. That’s why the rhymes were the way they were, because his sense of humor was just retarded. And what he thought was funny you might not think is funny. [Laughs] And the more you appalled at it, the more he thinks it’s even more funny. ‘Cause the shit he was [spittin’], some of the rhymes he was saying, we looking at him like, “Man, you so offensive,” and that would make him write more offensive shit. It wouldn’t deter him. [He was thinking] like, I got the response I wanted to get from you, so now I’ma write something even worse than that shit.

04. 8 Iz Enuff ft Terra, Herb McGruff, Buddah Bless, Big Twan, Killa Cam, Trooper J, and Mike Boogie (prod: Buckwild)

Finesse: With that [song] L just thought he had to do a track with the rappers from his hood. And he definitely wanted to put on [those particular emcees]… We looking like, “How you gonna put eight niggas on one track?” [And he was like], “Don’t worry, I got this.”

[His] N.F.L. [crew stood for] “Niggas For Life,” and Children Of The Corn was another crew [consisting of L, Mase, McGruff, Bloodshed and Cam’ron], but he was clearly cool with both of ‘em and he just thought these are the up and coming rappers I think is nice and I wanna start my own movement with the crew here…

The funny thing is I asked L [sometime in the late ‘90s], “Why didn’t you put Mase on that?” ‘Cause Mase, [then known as Murda Mase], was hanging around at the time. And L said, “Mase wasn’t rhyming nothing like how he rhymes now. That was a different Mase [back in ‘92].” As time went on, Mase style grew and developed. Because I always [used to] say [to L], “Yo, y’all crew, why didn’t [you] ever put him on?” And that was the story that he gave me. [But L] thought Cam was ready. He thought everybody on that track was ready. [D.I.T.C.] knew a little ‘bout Cam, but we were sold on Herb McGruff. We knew that was [L’s] partner-in-crime. We was definitely sold on McGruff.

05. All Black (prod: Lord Finesse)

Finesse: I love that [track]. [At] that time I was doing real tremendously dark, soundtrack, gutter, gangster-ish type music… And I always wanted them sinister-type, cut-through horns. I don’t even know where I got those horns from, but I know most of the stuff that I did at that time was real Jazz-related, dark Jazz-related, like Miles Davis, Quincy Jones, soundtrack dark [sounding]. And with the sinister piano glare [underlying those horns].

I wouldn’t say that’s the illest [track on the album but] some of the rhymes he’s saying is just the illest. He went off. “I’m known to extort guys / This ain’t Cali, this is Harlem nigga we do walk-by’s!” It was like, “Oooh.” But is it the best? Nah, I like “Danger Zone,” [all] the dark shit. We loved the dark shit… And I like “Street Struck,” [which] was maybe the last song we did, with the last amount of time we had in the studio. And he came with that story.

And me and [Buckwild] was kinda like biased towards the whole project, because as we went on and on with the project the songs got doper and doper to the [point] where we didn’t wanna stop. We thought after “M.V.P.” and “Street Struck” – ‘cause they was both done in the same session – we was thinking like, “Damn, you could still do some more.” But we had to turn [the album] in.

06. Danger Zone (prod: Buckwild)

Finesse: He was a dark comedian. Sinister, man. It’s like how Richard Pryor was saying to Eddie Murphy, “If people gonna laugh at the shit you say, say that shit!” [Laughs] It’s like with L, if you gon’ get that response that you want when you say that rhyme, nigga say that shit! And that was his motto… [Like], “If [I] get a response from what I’m saying I’m doing something right.”

When he was saying [“I never wear rubbers, bitch if I get AIDS fuck it!”] it wasn’t nothing to do with Eazy-E. That just happened to be a real unfortunate coincidence [that L’s album dropped the same month Eazy passed].

He was smarter than what he would lead you to believe on that album. But, it’s like, [for] Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous, I’m portraying this character, and this character I’m portraying has to be believable. The stuff he has to do has to be so over-the-top. And that’s a lot of the characters he was portraying on that album. It was a mixture between what was going on in Harlem and fiction. Some of it was real, some of it was fiction. [So] when he wanted to go over-the-top with some shit he went over the top with it!

He wanted to let people know you come through this zone right here and if you not related to anybody and nobody knows you, you will get robbed. And people got robbed! That’s why they called it the “Danger Zone.” It used to be a little chicken spot, [and] if you go through there flossin’ or looking a certain way I think to this day you’ll still get robbed.

07. Street Struck (prod: Lord Finesse)

Finesse: That was Sony [that wanted him to make something more positive]. [They were like], “You so dark on this album, we need something positive we can push. This album is too dark: you got ‘All Black,’ you got ‘Danger Zone,’ you done came out with ‘Devil’s Son.’ We really don’t wanna push that as your image. You have to do something that’s gonna balance it.” And that’s [when] we started doing more conceptual, conscious songs like “Fed Up Wit The Bullshit,” “Street Struck,” and “M.V.P.” and “Put It On.” The album needed a balance…“I Don’t Understand It” [was another one]. The album needed a balance [‘cause Columbia was like], “We’re not gonna let you kick all this gangsta shit.” [But L], I think he wanted his album at one point to be called Murder Incorporated or something [like that]. And this was before Murder Inc. [the record label].

[The darker content on the album] was definitely a little part of his life, because when he was raised in Harlem he seen a lot of things and he witnessed a lot of things and he wanted to put it on wax. But at the same time, Sony made him come with something that can also leave a message to young kids that are listening to your music, and that’s what he came up with, “Street Struck.”

That line ["Stay off them corners, that might be ya best plan / Before you catch a bullet that was meant for the next man."]…it’s crazy [considering the circumstances of L’s murder]. It’s like foreseeing something that you don’t even know is gonna happen.

08. Da Graveyard ft Lord Finesse, Microphone Nut, Jay-Z, Party Arty, and Grand Daddy I.U. (prod: Buckwild)

Finesse: [Big L] wanted to go first [on these posse songs]. [And] man, you had to step your game up. And I think he was responsible for making Diggin’ step [our] game up, because if we doing a song together…pshew, you better be ready, dog.

I heard all L’s rhymes before [I recorded mine]. I was arrogant [though], I ain’t give a fuck about [going right after Big L]. I was like, “I’m just on it. You want me on it, I’m here.” It’s like, I can’t stop this dude from writing what he gonna write. He was phenomenal with the penmanship, man.

People don’t know [Jay-Z and Big L] actually battled each other in Harlem. And I wish somebody videotaped that, because that woulda been a classic to this day. I think battling each other they got admiration for one another, and that’s where – ‘Cause I can tell you L was a Jay-Z fan, just like Jay-Z was a L fan. [L] was [also] a DMX fan. He loved DMX… And I think [after] that battle [between Jay and Big L], [Big L] was like, yo, I wanna put Hov on [a song]. And we’re not talking about the Reasonable Doubt Hov, we’re talking about the Hov fresh off the “Can I Get Open” [single from] Original Flavor [in 1993]. That’s the Hov we’re talking about. And we thought he was slick with the pen, but it wasn’t until later that we could truly honestly appreciate the Hov we know as of now… Jay was running around battling people [back then], and somebody set them up to battle each other and…I really know [Jay-Z] didn’t know what he was getting into battling this dude. I don’t [remember the exact date of their battle], I just remember L telling me about it. He was sitting on the stoop getting his hair braided, and [according to L] they set up this battle and he went to battle this dude. [Big L] was also there when Jay-Z battled DMX. L was heavy into the battling thing.

I think it was different [times that we each recorded our verses]. Either it was the same day at actually different times…’cause I don’t know if Grand Daddy I.U. was there when I recorded my verse, I don’t remember that. I definitely ain’t see Jay, so it was definitely at different times.

The voice, the presence, the character, [Party] Arty, his vocal presence was monsterous. DMX had a voice [like that], but we always thought Arty’s voice came across just rougher.

09. Lifestylez Ov Da Poor And Dangerous (prod: Lord Finesse)

Finesse: I mean, like I said, phenomenal penmanship. All this built-up anger and tension being released on these tracks is just timeless, to the [point] that if you ain’t know L existed, right, and you was to learn this whole album, and you go in the street right now and start kickin’ those rhymes people’ll be looking at you like you was the greatest dude ever. And that album was done like eons ago. “Breakin’ in cribs with a crowbar / I wasn’t poor, I was po’, I couldn’t afford the o-r.” Like…you know!

I just think it was a combination of what he was seeing in his neighborhood and forming it into a character. It’s so many rhymes that L would say, and I know for a fact that he’s a comedian, so if y’all sitting there and y’all joking and you say something slick he’s gonna put it in a rhyme. “I wouldn’t give a chick 10 cent to put cheese on a Whopper.” [Laughs] It’s crazy.

10. I Don't Understand It (prod: Showbiz)

Finesse: I think that song was a song kinda relating to where he wanted to get on in the game. ‘Cause, I discovered L back in ’90, ’91, [but] he ain’t get on until a couple of years later, and what he had to go through to get on - how many different A&R offices we went into and how many different meetings we took, and with the demos and everything – he went through it to get on, man. I had him in countless Rap battles. Anything he could do to get attention, [my] “Yes You May” remix [in 1992]. And [so] that was a subject based on what he went through to get on, especially looking at all these cornball niggas [that was] getting on: “I don’t understand it.”

The stuff we created in that era was timeless, man. And I’m not saying this because I’m who I am, it’s just because you can apply [the quotable above] to [the Rap game] now!

11. Fed Up With The Bullshit (prod: Lord Finesse)

Finesse: [The beat] was an interpretation of [The Isley Brothers’] “Between The Sheets.” I took the melodic pattern [of that song and] I had the bassline played over, and put hard drums to it and the classic Lord Finesse echo horns.

[Big L] wanted to be hardcore to the third power. And he wanted to be noticed as one of the top rappers. But at the time of course people was like, “Yo, you sound just like Finesse.” And I would just tell him keep doing what you doing, fuck that. Like, if I’m not saying nothing – They telling you you sound like me and I don’t give a fuck, [then] nigga do that shit, man! ‘Cause I’m looking at him like I wish I had somebody behind me how I was behind him when I was coming up in my career. And that was the whole [motivation for] just really being behind him and putting him on these different records.

One label made me pull [Big L] off certain shit, because they didn’t want his light on my airtime. I did a record for the Trespass soundtrack [in 1992] called “You Know What I’m About,” [and] the first version got L on it. It was for a Warner Brothers soundtrack and they made me go back in and change it, and that’s when I came with the version with the Scooby-Doo beat. They didn’t like the fact that I was presenting him on this track [from] a soundtrack and he wasn’t a Warner Brothers artist [like I was at the time]. Same thing for “Set It Off Troop” [from the Class Act soundtrack]. It was a couple of songs we did [together] where [the label] said, “No.” They didn’t like the fact that I was using their channel to expose him.

12. Let Em Have It L (prod: Craig Boogie)

Finesse: Craig Boogie was somebody that was around us, that was coming up in the game and doing beats. And…this actual track [he did] happened to stick out. We all thought it was a dope track, and we thought it’d make a nice combination on this project.

L just wanted a braggadocios song. He wanted something that he could get his rocks off on. I mean, with L, as much as it was braggadocios, we loved it because [he] was just phenomenal with it. He was extraordinarily talented, so we got a kick out of those braggadocios rhymes with all them crazy lines in [them].

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The Beats

Finesse: [Big L’s beats were all done by] people who was around us, and at the time it was me, Buck and Show. That was the main people that was around during the making of L’s album. And L was happy with the group of people that was around him. So he ain’t figure that I have to go and get this extraordinary production, like, “I got the team of niggas that helped me get on and I’m running with this team.” Diamond [D] I think was probably in Orange, New Jersey at that time, he wasn’t [really] around us.

It wasn’t the plan [to have Buckwild and myself produce the majority of the album], it’s just like L would go to Buck's house, [or] he would come around me [and] he’d hear something he’d like [and be like], “I need that. You gotta let me get that.” And it’s other songs we did that didn’t make the album. I mean, they leaked out later on. Like “School Dayz” was maybe one of the first songs he did. That was crazy! “School Dayz,” and “Timez Iz Hard On The Boulevard,” “Unexpected Flava” – it’s actually a beat that Large Professor did for me, but I never used it so I gave it to L.

The Lyrics

Lyrically, we thought he was just phenomenal. I looked at him like – I was arrogant as a muthafucka during my era of doing what I did, but it was like this dude would just put the battery in my back half the time with the shit he said like, “Pshh, okay I gotta write even harder now.” It’s like, he just added to a blueprint that I started, and he really took off with it. He formatted the blueprint to where I was like, “Wow.” The way he put the words together, the way he expressed himself, I was truly impressed. And it was never a real competition between us, because he knew I had his back. I’m doing everything in my power to try to get [him] on, I never shunned him, never tried to put him under my wing, I never held him back, I pushed him forward as hard as I could to make sure he got that light. So, it was never like no competition where [I’m] not trying to let [L] shine, [or I’m] telling [him he] ain’t ready yet. It was like, “No, you’re ready” [Laughs]. If I’m performing he had five to ten minutes on my show easy. “What’chu wanna do? I’m at the Apollo, I’m opening up for muthafuckin’ Treach and [Queen] Latifah, [so] yo, you need to have a mean 16 for me.” That’s how it was with me and him.

No DITC Cameos?

I don’t know [why there were no A.G., O.C. or Fat Joe guest spots on Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous]. That’s a definite L question. Because, we wasn’t opposed to none of these people. He ain’t say “Well, I wanna do a song with O.C.” and we said “No, you can’t do no song with O.C.” “I wanna do a song with A.” “Nah, you don’t…” We wasn’t opposed to it, I just think it just never happened until later on in [their] careers. See, what people fail to recognize is when Diggin’ In The Crates was created it was created as solo individual artists creating a crew, it wasn’t formed as a crew breaking into solo [careers]. Everybody was used [to] and accustomed to doing their own thing… [And so] if people wasn’t there, nobody was waiting for somebody to come in the studio to do no vocals, we just gon’ rock out [with who we got].

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Label Politics

It was rough [in terms of the commercial response to "Put It On" - the first single from the album at the time]. It was rough on the whole D.I.T.C. [commercially], but it was really rough I’d say on L. Because, you had “Put It On,” which was a great record, and Columbia did push it – to a certain extent, but I don’t think they really put the full blast on it. You know when a label put the machine, put the power behind something. I think they gave him a push, like a nudge, but they ain’t really give him that push you over the roof push. And I think it was hard on him because they had such a unpolished gem there.

And I think what took away from the luster of Big L’s album was when [Columbia] finished up the Nas album, Illmatic, and he had [production from] Pete [Rock] and Large Professor and [DJ] Premier and Q-Tip. They had some of the top producers in the game on his album… So they felt [like], “Okay, we gonna go with this now!” And [Columbia] kinda liked slept on [Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous]. This is what I personally feel anyway.

[D.I.T.C.] brought him in the game, [and so L was loyal to us for his production]. And at the time Diggin’ was Diggin’. We went though high and low for this dude: from me discovering him, from me trying to do beats for him at the time [in 1991] when we was first getting his demo together. And it wasn’t until L and Show did “Devil’s Son,” [which was released as L’s first 12” in 1993], that [L] got that attention from Columbia. But, if you go further back, L was with me everywhere… It was like, “Wherever I can get you to shine – you just hang on to me, just stick with me and I’ma get you as much exposure as I can get you.” It wasn’t no I had him under contract, [so] I’ma pimp this young artist [kind of thing], it was just like, “Stick with me [and] you gonna get on.”

L’s LP was before Nas’… Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous was [recorded between 1991 and 1993], before Nas’ [Illmatic]. And then Nas started getting a buzz [after “Halftime” and MC Serch’s “Back To The Grill” dropped in ‘92], [so] then [Columbia] started pushing Nas over L. And then [in the months after Big L’s album was released] The Fugees came [with “Fu-Gee-La”], and once The Fugees [started making noise] L got lost in the mix up in the Sony machine.

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The Lost Tracks

Don't Flop

2010-08-24T13:42:00.000-07:00

Well, this has been doing the rounds since I saw it up on UKHH a few days back. Good Lord. For those not sure about what it is, it's an appallingly shit battle video.
Warning: NSFW language... and jiggling about by the little fella.

Oh dear oh dear oh dear.

Update!

2010-08-23T20:00:00.000-07:00

It's been a very long time since my last post, sorry about that....
To cut a long story short, my life has completely changed, Jones Towers has had to move, and everything is different. Now I'm back on the net again, with a completely different set of circumstances, and hopefully I'll be back on here again, satisfying the needs of YOU, the loyal readers of my blog! hahahaha.

Anyways, later on I'll stick something up about Big L, and I'll pop some other stuff up as well in the next couple of days. Got to be careful, birthday's coming up, can't promise the earth!

But in the meantime, here's my favourite drink of the minute.... seriously, this is like crack to me. If you can find it, try it, I bought up the entire stock of this at Tescos, so good luck finding it if you live anywhere near me. Mwahahahaha!

My Favourite Cartoon Ever

2010-07-13T11:23:00.000-07:00

...cuts out before the end, but still classic

New Pharoahe

2010-07-10T23:40:00.000-07:00

Pharoahe Monch - one of the finest MCs to ever spit. Recently he's been more singing that anything else, or doing hooks for other artists, but this is off his new WAR (We Are Renegades) album. Produced by Diamond D. SICK.

RA The Rugged Man - History Of Boxing

2010-06-26T10:18:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows the Jones family will know that we've been bought up around boxing since day dot. Both Grandads were mad about it, and it's always been part of the family makeup. (Not literally, we don't knock the shit out of each other on a regular basis.)

So, with that in mind, and in order to appease Ciaran the all-seeing land-baron, here's RA The Rugged Man's "History Of Boxing" freestyle.

Big up to Junior Pepa Seed for posting the link up on his blog which you can find here.

Grandmaster Flash Breaks Video

2010-06-13T23:58:00.000-07:00

So, ex-Geto Boys DJ and all-round good dude DJ Ready Red posted THIS up, I thought I'd share. Good looking out, Red!

Red says:

"My boy told me about this 27 years ago he had cable I didn't and man I was very upset for awhile about missing it. Anyway here it is!
Yall know I'm crazy about Grandmaster Flash from back in the day til now Grandmaster Flash is my hero period."

Jay Electronica - Dear Moleskin (live)

2010-06-04T04:03:00.001-07:00

A Load Of England Flag Twaddle

2010-06-02T07:13:00.000-07:00

Well, there's a big furore about England flags and the rest of it as all-bloody-ways. All part of a new style of life in England... namely, a culture of complaining about stuff that really doesn't matter (because you can't change the bigger things), and blaming the next man when you feel threatened by something.

Aaaaaaaanyway, long story short, here's an absolute pile of old shit that was published in the Worksop Guardian on May 21st.

'Take down your flags'
Outraged England World Cup fans are told they are 'causing offence'

By Sam Chetwynd

OUTRAGED football fans say police are telling them to take down their patriotic England flags ahead of the World Cup – because they are causing offence to foreign immigrants.
The Worksop Guardian has received calls from people claiming that police officers have asked them to take St George's flags down because of complaints.

"This is absolutely ridiculous and completely over the top," said one furious Worksop woman, who did not want her name or address published.
"I've had a couple of England flags outside my flat since St George's Day... but suddenly, this week I had a visit from two police officers who told me to take them down because they were upsetting foreign members of the community."
"I've never heard anything like it and I am not taking them down. I'm a big England football fan and this is my way of showing support for my team and my country."

Meanwhile Chris Gregory, 40, also from Worksop, said his friend was stopped in Lincoln by police and told to remove England flags draped across the back seat of the car.
He said: "It's absolutely ridiculous. It's not right that we aren't allowed any England flags."
"I've also heard that pubs and bars aren't allowing people in with football shirts on. Surely you should be allowed to wear what you want."

But police deny that they have asked anyone to remove flags in Worksop.
However they added that if they received a complaint from a member of the public "it would be dealt with on its own merit".
They said they could find no record of officers visiting the unnamed woman.
But the woman was adamant that the visit had taken place.

Ian Kettlewell, of Bull Dog Barbers on Gateford Road has flags, balloons and bunting in his shop.
He said: "It's nothing to do with racism or anything like that. We are supporting the England football team that hopefully is going to bring the World Cup home. It is as simple as that."
"As soon as the World Cup is over all the flags will be taken down. If the police or anybody else asked me to take them down before then, I will not do it."
"I've got some stuff up now and I'm going to put the rest up. My shop will be kitted out. It doesn't bother me, it's just for the football."

Sgt Gail Hart, from Worksop Neighbourhood Policing Team, said that officers "have not been directed to ask people to take their England flags down."
She added: "However, if we receive a complaint from a member of the public, we will treat each case individually on its own merit."
Lincolnshire Police said they had "no policy" about the display of England flags – as did Bassetlaw Council, who added they had not received any complaints.

This week Nottingham City Council leader Jon Collins was forced to apologise to a pensioner after England flags strung across her street were cut down.
Doreen Carnelley, 74, said she had put the flags across Sturgeon Avenue, Nottingham, to mark the World Cup.
Officers said it was illegal to attach items to street lights and complaints were made. Mr Collins has since said it was an "error of judgement" and the flags will be put back up.

Are you kitting out your house, property or business for the World Cup?

Click here to tell us what you think

Or call Sam Chetwynd on 01909 543011.

Now.... I don't want to pick holes in this reeeeaaaally.... oh, who am I kidding, of course I do. This reads like a fucking Phoenix Nights outtake. I mean HONESTLY. What actual proof is there in ANY of that utter twaddle you've just read that indicates that even a shred of it is true?

Let's look at the evidence:

1. The Worksop Guardian has received calls from people about something or other.

2. A mystery "woman" who does not want her name or address published is "adamant" that she was visited by the police and told to take her flag down, even though the police have no record of this and have no idea what she's talking about.

3. "Chris Gregory" from Worksop says that "his friend" somewhere else (Lincoln) was asked to remove a flag from the back of his car.
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that I'm not sure that actually happened.

4. "Chris" says "I've also heard that pubs and bars aren't allowing people in with football shirts on."
Again, not a strong element of proof there. "I've heard..." really? REALLY, Chris?

5. "Ian Kettlewell" has "flags, balloons and bunting" in his shop although has not been asked to take them down.
Oooookaaaaaaayyyyyy.... and so what?

6. "Nottingham City Council leader Jon Collins was forced to apologise to a pensioner after England flags strung across her street were cut down."
...but not because they were England flags, because it's actually illegal to attach items to street lamps. Now they're back up again. Again... so what?

A very inflammatory article from the Worksop Guardian, in my opinion, filled with stupidity and no evidence of anything at all.

Read the article at the Worksop Guardian (source) here.

New ScorZayZee... FIRE

2010-05-31T15:05:00.000-07:00

So, Scorzilla has got a new mixtape out - "Raging Bull".
You can cop it here.

In case you're not sure.... which would mean that you haven't heard any of Scorz's previous stuff (cos if you had you'd cop it straight away), here's one of the tracks off it....

GORGEOUS

Props. Can't wait for Piece Of The Puzzle to drop, that's oging to be BIIIIIIIIG.

Rest In Peace Dennis Hopper....

2010-05-30T06:19:00.000-07:00

Well, yet ANOTHER icon dead this year. What's going on? The last 12 months have been horrendous for this.

Dennis Hopper, one of the finest actors of the last 50 years, died yesterday after a long battle with cancer. He was 74.

In case people have forgotten what he did in his lifetime, here's some of the more noteworthy films he was in... some of which have been personal favourites of mine over the years.
Rebel Without A Cause, Giant, Gunfight At The OK Corral, Cool Hand Luke, Hang Em High, Easy Rider, True Grit, The Last Movie, Apocalypse Now, Out Of The Blue, Rumble Fish, The Osterman Weekend, Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, River's Edge, Blue Velvet, Straight To Hell, Paris Trout, Red Rock West, True Romance, Speed, and Land Of The Dead.

He's worked with Quentin Tarantino, David Lynch, Francis Ford Coppola, George Romero, Sam Peckinpah, Paul Newman, James Dean (who he was close friends with), Clint Eastwood, John Wayne, Peter Fonda, Martin Sheen, Crispin Glover, Kyle McLachlan, Dean Stockwell, Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock, Isabella Rosellini, Mickey Rourke, Matt Dillon and hundreds of others.

Here's a clip of him on The Johnny Cash Show in the 70s, reciting a slightly paraphrased version of "If" by Rudyard Kipling. My grandad used to have that poem on his wall, so that - coupled with the fact that Johnny Cash and Dennis Hopper are both heroes of mine - makes this particularly resonant.

And here is a much more NSFW clip from the classic Blue Velvet... watch with caution. Absolutely terrifying, and one of the most skilful pieces of acting I've ever seen.
Seriously, WATCH WITH CAUTION. Not suitable for kids. AT ALL.

This, along with the AMAZING True Romance scene with Christopher Walken, are two of the most startling scenes in modern day cinema, to my mind.

Rest In Peace man, your work will be truly missed and there'll never be another actor like you.

Sample Blowup Friday

2010-05-28T11:04:00.000-07:00

So, as I've been walking around like a fucking mental patient for the last two weeks or so, I figured this was quite a fitting sample.

It's Time To Break Down - The Supremes (post-Diana Ross... The Supremes at this point were Mary Wilson, Cindy Birdsong and Jean Tyrell)

I'm at the crossroads of my life
And I don't know if I should go left or right
My mind is confused, my heart is too
while your voice is ringing, ringing in my ear
It's time to break down
Time to say yeah
Time to take time
Give my heart a chance to breathe, free this fire inside of me

I'll never be free of wanting you
My heart is your prisoner, yeah
You're like the light in my pathway
You're like the burning flames higher day after day
I pretend I don't see the spell you cast over me
But the truth is, you see all into my face

Time to break down
Time to say yeah, oh baby
Time to take time...

I'll never be free from wanting you
My heart is your prisoner

It's time to break down
Say yeah
when you touch me baby
all your loving
oh yeah....

JFK 2 LAX - Gang Starr

Yo they got me handcuffed, I'm down in central booking
Things are fucked up, the way my future's looking
But I'm too fly, I'ma change this scenario
Make some power moves and tighten up my bankroll
Chumps are leary though, they see me as a threat
I'm like the black Dutch Schultz when you get me upset
Five-oh makes me wanna flip, Larry Davis style
Got a nigga depressed, while he's awaitin trial
It's OK though, cause from grey skies comes blue
Through darkness comes light and I be known as the Guru
And this I certify we all should be alerted by
the traps within the system, our youth is gettin murdered by
the D.A. says they got me on a felony
I'm tryin to live my life, so what the fuck is you tellin me?
The streets are war, that's what brothers carry weapons for
And I take the weight as I did before
The next thing you know, they got me on the radio
A rapper arrested, suckers showin me on video
Of course I know, that I'm a role model
But yo this rap life is real life sometimes it's full throttle
Right now I gotta think about me fuck the industry
You gets no love, except those who support me
What's the story, what happened when I went to L.A.?
Mixin shit up, no not there I got family
Nothin happened, mind your business yo step
You know we connect, JFK 2 LAX

They wanna lock us all up, and throw away the key
Don't wanna see us come up, don't wanna see us makin G's
Long as we know this is the key to our destruction
Let's make moves no discussion

Peace to my man Hass, and Orange Man payin the cost
All the twenty-five to lifers all my brothers gettin tossed
into the system, supposed to rehabilitate
It's why you gotta regulate your own mindstate
Read, study lessons and build your inner power
The next level, doesn't tolerate cowards
For example, I know this rich Nigerian
Powerful American that's proud to be an African
He asked me why do all us brothers be gettin trapped
I told him I'd explain it, broke it down in a rap
Whether you got naps, braids waves or no hair
Without esteem for yourself nigga, you goin nowhere
And you can swagger like you rule this; Josey Wales
unorganized revolt almost always mostly fails
Give up the savage ways, be effective soldiers
To elevate the mental is to be poor no more
There's war in the streets, prepared men know best
Our rhyme as live as it gets, JFK 2 LAX
They're always makin trouble yo, against the righteous
Killin us in cold blood, those beats those vipers
And as I sit feelin the pain in my wrist
I vow to myself that I'ma change this shit
Or at least I gotta try, or part of me will die
And only by action will any ideas solidify
So I inhale, exhale as I ponder
This grown man will make mistakes no longer
I've been there, I've seen how they make us fall victim
to their tricknowledgy, with no apology I diss em
And so I rip facts to dope tracks I caress
You're gonna hear about it, from JFK 2 LAX

RIP Guru.

The Most Dangerous Bear In The World

2010-05-25T12:51:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of close Jones family relative Ben Askew, here we present....
The Most Dangerous Bear In The World.

The Best Hip Hop Tracks In The World (part 1)

2010-05-23T00:37:00.000-07:00

So, my favourite hip hop tracks of all time. Sounds like an impossible task, right? Well, I'm deliberately going to put down what *I* think are the best hip hop tracks ever. If they're on this list, then I love them unconditionally. There's no order to this, it's just going to be track after track, possibly vaguely chronologically but I dunno. Depends.

Here's part one. If you haven't heard some of these, then edumacate yourself!

The Old School Picks:

1. The Message - Grandmaster Flash + The Furious Five

2. Feel The Heartbeat - Treacherous Three

3. Planet Rock - Afrika Bambaataa + The Soul Sonic Force

4. Sucker MCs - Run DMC

5. Step Off - Grandmaster Melle Mel + The Furious Five

6. I Can't Live Without My Radio - LL Cool J

7. Slow And Low - Beastie Boys (not the OG Run DMC one)

And now a quick note......

These next three (six?) selections represent, to me, the moment where hip hop suddenly started releasing classic double sided singles. The following two classic 12"s are era defining.

Doug E Fresh ft MC Ricky D (pka Slick Rick) - The Show B/W La Di Da Di
and
Run DMC - Peter Piper B/W My Adidas
and
Eric B + Rakim - Eric B Is President B/W My Melody

Here you go....

8a. The Show - Doug E Fresh ft MC Ricky D

8b. La Di Da Di - Doug E Fresh ft MC Ricky D

9a. Peter Piper - Run DMC

9b. My Adidas - Run DMC

10a. Eric B Is President (original 12" version) - Eric B + Rakim

10b. My Melody - Eric B + Rakim

More to come.....

Lack Of Updates

2010-05-23T00:32:00.000-07:00

Hey there folks....

I know this blog isn't the centre of your world, but you may have noticed a distinct lack of updates recently. Well, things this end have been remarkably up in the air for various reasons (home, work, money) and as a consequence I've let this blog slip. Sorry bout that.

There'll be more posts from now on, I promise, mainly because at the end of next week my workload will dwindle to half of its current amount, and also because my personal life will involve more time for me to do stuff as well.

Anyway, stay tuned.

Peace out.

Sample Blowup Sunday

2010-05-09T09:40:00.000-07:00

The Cyrkle - The Visit

She was here with me today, walking softly, holding hands
And I thought I heard her say she loved me
As we walked I felt her eyes
Reaching deeply into mine
And I thought I heard her sigh she loved me

And along the way we shared a thought or two
It seemed as if I knew her well
Then she leaned to me and as we gently kissed
I knew that moment my heart fell
She was here

Now I'm lost and wondering, as if waking suddenly
Was it real or just a dream? Where is she?
Was she really here today? Or was I just drifting back
To the times I heard her say she loved me?

Was she really here today?

A Tribe Called Quest - Get A Hold (prod: Dilla)

The deadly venom, let me start from the beginning
We always hittin, so yo, there'll be no extra innings
As I send the mic out the park like Reggie Jackson
You be the minor leaguer who sees no action
The coming attraction (what!) The main feature
And I'ma greet ya, like a rhymin ass creature
Lurking all up in the dark, unknown parts
The brotha well prepared is the brotha who will start
And that's me Akki, as long as the ladies move they bodies
We'll have a four-on-two stand
Cuz that happens to be the nature of man
Sexuality, it is the format baby
Ain't no ifs, no buts, no ands, or maybes
But I praise Lord in the worlds that's unseen
Respect me for that and let me do my thing (just)
I said, respect me for that and let me do my thing

You know we gotta get a hold... Over the illest drum rolls

Yo, how you doin? Let me give you an intro
My name's the Abstract, now let me give you some info
Got the diamond in the back, and the sunroof shit
That makes the hardcore MC's resort to being bitch
And I don't give a shit about being wild rich
Just make me comfortable and I'll deal with it
Your lust for the riches make a nigga feel sick
Down to his zealots, upchuck and then spit
Denouncin my beliefs, well then your wig get split
Lay your ego on the ground so that you'll benefit
You can take these words and relay it to your click
Take some time for your mind and get off them head trips
Don't try to play me, see my name's not Dick
The Tribe is the crew that makes your mics get lit
Like the Fourth of July on some firework shit
My record company be on some true jerk shit
But that's i-ight, now, I'm on some true work shit
And I'ma make it happen for my whole outfit

You know we got to get control... Over the illest drum rolls

A-yo, we just gettin started
Got to redirect this vision
Got the beauty of a flower
Plus dimensions like a prism
Your minds are locked down like prison
Y'all really need to go lay down
Cuz positivity has risen
We hittin
Yo bust how we too strong to be broken
Occasional malfunction pressure time
We ain't jokin
For security we on this run like Logan
Kamaal's doin the hustle
And you backstage voguin
We all got flaws
Don't ever try to think that you perfect
We all are human beings
There's bullshit at the surface
Sometimes, I mean we rhyme
Damn, we ain't prophets
And if you think so, you need to stop it
So jump back inside your shell
Let your million dollar thoughts propel
But next man don't get jel
Playa hate that all carries weight
That we don't need
We slim with disabilities and
Thick with possibilities
Cuz then you can't move with fertility
Navigatin with good visibility
We put these tunes out in record shop facilities
Let's strive to get this constant money activity
We try to stay on the scene like Fidel
So if you get enraged with these names it still rebels
There ain't no plan B's
Yo watch, we movin through with plan A
Money market doin things the right way

You know we got to get control... Over the illest drum roll

.........man, the way Dilla chopped that Cyrkle track is NICE. POW.

Exhibit Driis - now with youtube!

2010-05-05T23:23:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I posted this before. Never mind. I put it up on youtube as well, cos I don't think enough people have heard this. It's amazing. Probably the second best version after the Electronica one.

Blaze... Electronica... large mate!
a large portion of fish and chips and a large plate
a large thank fuck for you for fuck's sakes
and I know it ain't your birthday but a large frickin cake
with the candle that you're holding on for who the fuck is great
now enough fuckin fucks but I have to frickin say
that you are number one of my list of MCs
and I diss them MCs who ain't got nothin to say... no doubt bwoy...
cos this way lies the truth and the truth will hurt
and this way lies the booth where the lies won't work
I'm a 10, I think forward check the name on the shirt
I'm just an actor, don't make me embarass ya
I write a ghost verse for my rapping character
have you call your mum and dad asking for ya barrister
so calm, so cool, collected
future breaks on repeat, bruv you can't eject it, nah
I heard your freestyle, I didn't respect it, brah
I heard your album, that's what I expected, huh
a pile of shit, a pile of words on a beat
if I saw you on the street I'd punch you straight off your feet
call my Camden Town mans and rob the gold from your teeth
rob you in the library, ask my neezy Big Neef (true stories!)
...now you can call me Steve
the way I'm giving out Jobs to those who like to rob
It Takes Two minutes like EZ and Rob
but with one black face like the Princess and the Frog
uhh... now I'm a dutty nig-nog
and I come from an area where they call me a wog
but now, and I quote man, they call me a god
but the girls got it backwards calling me a fucking dog
a pedigree, not a chump
keep my eyes wide open and my mouth tight shut
keep my finger on my trigger of my ten minus one
the small of my back sees my 140... am to pm...

Verse Of The Week: Joe Scudda

2010-05-05T15:14:00.001-07:00

Rapsploitation - Saturday 8th May 2010

2010-05-04T00:41:00.000-07:00

Ladies and Gentlemen... I cordially invite you to the biggest Rapsploitation Sessions to date...
Foreign Beggars
Kyza
Dr Syntax
Millionaires By Morning
Pikey Esquire
Leon Rhymes
Nee-Hi
Rapsploitation / Low Pass / Hush House DJs

This is going to be at Fire + Ice on Saturday... a collab between Low Pass (dubstep night) and the mighty Rapsploitation Sessions.

The big change? Well, aside from the fact that it's going to be half hip hop (first half up until Forgeign Beggars) and half dubstep (second half after Foreign Beggars), it starts at 8pm and finishes at 3am. THREE AM PEOPLE! THREE! And all this for the bargain price of £7 ticket in advance, or £9 on the door.
BUT!
I would personally jump in there early simply because it will sell out. Oh yes, it will.

So (although I've got a prior engagement so I won't be there), you should head yourselves down there, it's going to be a big un. POW!

Uncommon Valor

2010-04-27T10:54:00.000-07:00

One of the best verses of all time, no contest. NO CONTEST.

True story
Call me Thorburn, John H., staff sergeant
Marksman, skill in killin', illin', I'm able and willin'
Kill a village elephant, rapin' and pillage a village
Illegitimate killers, US Military guerrillas
This ain't no real war, Vietnam shit
World War II, that's a war, this is just a military conflict
Soothin' drug abusin', Vietnamese women screwin'
Sex, gambling and boozin', all this shit is amusin'
Bitches and guns, this is every man's dream
I don't wanna go home where I'm just an ordinary human being
Special Op, Huey chopper gun ship run shit
Gook run when the minigun spit, won't miss
Kill shit, spit four-thousand bullets a minute
Vic the Charlie, hit trigger, hit it, I'm in it to win it
Get it, the lieutenant hinted, the villain, I been it
The killing, I did it, cripple, did it, pictures I painted is vivid, live it
A wizard with weapons, the secret mission, we 'bout to begin it
Government funded, behind enemy lines
Bullets is sprayin', it's heatin' up a hundred degrees
The enemies the North Vietnamese, bitch please
Ain't no sweat, I'm told, "Be at ease"
Until I see the pilot got hit, and we 'bout to hit some trees
Nail the road, it broke, crash land
American man in Cambodia, right in the enemy hand
Take a swig of the Whiskey to calm us
Them yellow men wearin' black pajamas, they wanna harm us
They all up on us, bang, bang, bullet hit my chest, feel no pain
To my left, the captain caught a bullet right in his brain
Body parts flyin', loss of limbs, explosions
Bad intentions, I see my best friend's intestines
Pray to the one above, it's raining, I'm covered in mud
I think I'm dyin', I feel dizzy, I'm losin' blood
I see my childhood, I'm back in the arms of my mother
I see my whole life, I see Christ, I see bright lights
I see Israelites, Muslims and Christians at peace, no fights
Black, Whites, Asians, people of all types
I must've died, then I woke up, surprised I'm alive
I'm in a hospital bed, they rescued me, I survived
I escaped the war, came back, but ain't escape Agent Orange
Two of my kids born handicapped
Spastic, quadriplegia, micro cephalic
Cerebral palsy, cortical blindness, name it, they had it
My son died, he ain't live, but I still try to think positive
'Cause in life, God take, God give

DJ Premier - Guru Tribute

2010-04-24T05:56:00.001-07:00

All you need to know about the Guru situation is here, pretty much. Highly recommended. Massive, MASSIVE props to the (fan-run) DJ Premier blog for the link.

DJ Premier's Guru Tribute.

Rest In Peace Guru.

Keep fighting the good fight, Premo.

Fuck Solar. He ain't keeping it real, he's "keeping it WRONG." I'm waiting for the moment of truth.

Fuck Solar

2010-04-22T13:09:00.000-07:00

Read the full article over at MTV, if you can be bothered. Fuck Solar. I include a picture of him only because you shoukd all know your enemy.

Solar says: "The friendship got close fairly rapidly... I think the reason why it got close is that I wasn't interested in a record deal. I wasn't interested in him as Guru. Me and him just hit it off as men. I got to know him as a man, he got to know me as a man. We were both going through tricky periods in our lives. I was working with homeless children at the time. It's a heavy problem ... Guru was dealing with certain situations. We started hanging out, hitting the clubs in New York. We needed to lighten it up a little bit. Once that trust developed, he was able to tell me about certain things within his life and career that was leading him to feel extremely frustrated that I believe contributed to his problems with substance abuse.

Anybody who knows him knows that it was a very serious situation at the time. I wasn't judgmental. I just listened and became a friend...

Once 7 Grand was started, certain aspects of Gang Starr kept holding onto him and he felt that it was dragging him down or holding him from getting to where he wanted to get... It was influences around the industry that he felt was contributing to that. It was a source of frustration for him and also for myself."

Guru maintained a consistent touring schedule around the world. According to Solar, in early 2009, he started to experience pain in his back, which he at first attributed to vigorous gym workouts. After the pain carried on for a couple of months, Guru sought medical attention, which resulted in an MRI and a cancer diagnosis. "He was upset and distraught," Solar added.

Guru went in for further testing and it was confirmed that he suffered from myeloma, a cancer that affects the white blood cells. He had an operation in July 2009 that was unfortunately unsuccessful.

"It wasn't long before we realized the operation wasn't a success — by the end of the summer we knew the cancer was spreading." Still, Guru and Solar continued to tour around the world — Guru was able to get onstage and perform as long as he took his medicine.

However, despite the setbacks, Solar insisted Guru didn't want to tell his family about his situation, as he was still optimistic that he could overcome the diagnosis.

"When I met Guru, his situation with his family was somewhat of an estrangement," Solar explained. "I was an advocate of meeting his mom, meeting his dad — developing a strong, good relationship with them."

Solar said that Guru and his parents eventually became close again and he got back in contact with his brother as well, however he still wasn't close with his sister Trish and her children. In March, Trish's son Justin said that Solar — who had become Guru's medical proxy — was keeping info from the family about Guru's condition.

"My family has no way of knowing what is going on with Guru's situation," Justin said via his YouTube vlog. "[Solar] also has primary control over the decisions made for Guru's health in the hospital. Solar has complete control of the flow of information. I know that Solar has been his right-hand man, day-in and day-out for the last six years, but that does not give him the right to make decisions about whether his family is to see Guru or learn about his status. The fact that he is acting like this lets me know that he does not have Guru's best interests in mind."

Solar denied that he took advantage of Guru while he was in a weakened mental state. "He doesn't fit the profile of someone that is mentally unstable," Solar said calmly. " ... He knew exactly what he wanted to do, not only his business but his personal life."

He also denied rumors that he used to physically abuse Guru while he was sick. "Me and Guru, we used to play fight," Solar answered. "Roughhouse. Not only with him, but other members of the band. These are all accusations without Guru being here to look you in the eye and saying that's just ridiculous. That's just idiotic."

Solar also denied widespread rumors that he was involved in a romantic relationship with the MC. "That's untrue, completely unfounded," he said. "Guru is a family man, I'm a family man. I don't want to say anything against anybody living a certain type of lifestyle — everybody is free to live their life how they choose to live it — but that's not my lifestyle or Guru's lifestyle. We're straight men. He dealt with women and family. I dealt with women and family. There's never been any blurring of the lines whatsoever."

Between last summer and February 2010, Guru's focus shifted to his health, and his condition worsened to the point where Solar had to temporarily move into Guru's New Jersey residence to help the rap legend with daily activities.

"It was getting bad," Solar said. "His mobility was starting to worsen. I was staying in his home with him to help him with his day to day. I did it as a brother — I looked at him as a brother. I did that to preserve his dignity, even in those times."

I call BULLSHIT.

Premo Speaks

2010-04-21T22:58:00.000-07:00

This just in oourtesy of Escobar, who found it over at XXL.

“It was a sad day for me to get confirmation on the death of a man who I will continue to call my brother,” Preemo said.

“From 1988-2004 we experienced so much success together that we were able to expand our business independently and give each other what Guru called ‘creative space,’ before planning to reunite for our seventh LP when the time time was right,” he continued. “Tragically, we will never reach that day.

“I’ve been asked to comment on a letter speaking ill of me which was supposedly written by Guru in his dying days,” he added, addressing a press release delivered by Guru’s business partner Solar. “All I will say about it is our time together was beautiful, we built a hip-hop legacy together, and no one can re-write history or take away my love for him. One thing I would never do is play around with the truth about his life.”

“I will celebrate Guru’s life…I will honor his memory…I will grieve with the Elam family over his untimely death…I will remember the Gang Starr foundation and all of the original members of the Gang Starr who came before me…mostly, I will cherish everything we created together as Gang Starr, forever,” he concluded. “I’m gonna miss hearing his signature monotone voice when he walks in the room, but the songs will always bring it back to me…his rhyme flows were insane, and I will never remove him from my heart and soul…rest in peace to the man who felt ‘satisfaction from the street crowd reaction’…I love you Goo.”

Statement from Guru's Family

2010-04-21T09:53:00.001-07:00

PRESS RELEASE

The Elam family wishes to thank the fans of our son/brother/father uncle/nephew/cousin Keith aka GURU for the outpouring of love, concern and support.

Our hearts are broken by the loss of someone we loved so much. GURU was devoted to his young son, who will most keenly feel his absence.

GURU suffered from multiple myeloma for over a year. Accrued complications from this illness led to respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. As a result, GURU was in a coma from mid February until his death and never regained consciousness. Early on the morning of April 19th, he became hypertensive due to low blood pressure. He again went into cardiac arrest and slipped away from us.

GURU died far too young but he was, and we are, proud of all his many legendary musical contributions.

The family is not aware of any foundations established by GURU. We know and understand that countless fans want to express their condolences and love and, to that end, we are planning a memorial event in the near future that will be all-inclusive. Please look for further details from the family as they become available.

from The Elam Family

EDIT:

For what THIS is worth, Solar has spoken to MTV News in the US.

"I mean, it's ridiculous, Guru knew this time would come. The great artist he is, us being intelligent people, we knew there was going to have to be a statement relating to this... Unfortunately, there are those who have the wicked agenda, and just can't accept that Guru and I have handled this thing as men and not children, and this is how men of honor handle their business. He arranged his press release.
I'm the repository of Guru's life story. I recorded his life story for book and for movies. We're not foolish. He was diagnosed with cancer well over a year ago. It's been operations and so forth. It would be ridiculous for him to not be prepared.”

Gang Starr has gots to be the sure shot

2010-04-20T12:02:00.000-07:00

Moment Of Truth

2010-04-20T08:14:00.000-07:00

Actions have reactions, don't be quick to judge
You may not know the hardships people don't speak of
It's best to step back, and observe with couth
For we all must meet our moment of truth

Sometimes you gotta dig deep, when problems come near
Don't fear, things get severe for everybody everywhere
Why do bad things happen to good people?
Seems that life is just a constant war between good and evil
The situation that I'm facin is mad amazin
to think such problems can arise from minor confrontations
Now I'm contemplatin in my bedroom pacin
Dark clouds over my head, my heart's racin
Suicide? Nah, I'm not a foolish guy
Don't even feel like drinking, or even gettin high
Cause all that's gonna do really is accelerate
the anxieties that I wish I could alleviate
But wait, I've been through a whole lot of other shit before
So I oughta be able to withstand some more
But I'm sweatin though, my eyes are turnin red and yo
I'm ready to lose my mind but instead I use my mind
I put down the knife and take the bullets out my nine
My only crime was that I'm too damn kind
And now some scandalous motherfuckers wanna take what's mine
But they can't take the respect that I've earned in my lifetime
And you know they'll never stop the furious force of my rhymes
So like they say, every dog has it's day
And like they say, God works in a mysterious way
So I pray, remembering the days of my youth
As I prepare to meet my moment of truth

.......there's not often been truer words spoken in hip hop.

RIP.

RIP Keith Elam aka Guru (1966-2010)

2010-04-20T06:32:00.000-07:00

I hate to write this, but it seems as though the sorry state of affairs of Guru being in a coma (as blogged about on here before, and as reported on many other blogs) is over.

As confirmed by Freddie Foxxx, Statik Selektah, Puffy, and others, he passed away after what transpires was a year long battle with cancer.

Sadly, a letter has been published that has been credited as written by Guru - between the alleged waking from his coma and before he died.

The controversial content is reprinted below. There is a strong opinion online that this letter was not written by Guru, but by Solar - but this will never really be known.

I, Guru, am writing this letter to my fans, friends and loved ones around the world. I have had a long battle with cancer and have succumbed to the disease. I have suffered with this illness for over a year. I have exhausted all medical options.

I have a non-profit organization called Each One Counts dedicated to carrying on my charitable work on behalf of abused and disadvantaged children from around the world and also to educate and research a cure for this terrible disease that took my life. I write this with tears in my eyes, not of sorrow but of joy for what a wonderful life I have enjoyed and how many great people I have had the pleasure of meeting.

My loyal best friend, partner and brother, Solar, has been at my side through it all and has been made my health proxy by myself on all matters relating to myself. He has been with me by my side on my many hospital stays, operations, doctors visits and stayed with me at my home and cared for me when I could not care for myself. Solar and his family is my family and I love them dearly and I expect my family, friends, and fans to respect that, regardless to anybody’s feelings on the matter. It is my wish that counts. This being said I am survived by the love of my life, my sun KC, who I trust will be looked after by Solar and his family as their own. Any awards or tributes should be accepted, organized approved by Solar on behalf myself and my son until he is of age to except on his own.

I do not wish my ex-DJ to have anything to do with my name likeness, events tributes etc. connected in anyway to my situation including any use of my name or circumstance for any reason and I have instructed my lawyers to enforce this. I had nothing to do with him in life for over 7 years and want nothing to do with him in death. Solar has my life story and is well informed on my family situation, as well as the real reason for separating from my ex-DJ. As the sole founder of GangStarr, I am very proud of what GangStarr has meant to the music world and fans. I equally am proud of my Jazzmatazz series and as the father of Hip-Hop/Jazz. I am most proud of my leadership and pioneering efforts on Jazzmatazz 4 for reinvigorating the Hip-Hop/Jazz genre in a time when music quality has reached an all time low. Solar and I have toured in places that I have never been before with GangStarr or Jazzmatatazz and we gained a reputation for being the best on the planet at Hip-Hop/Jazz, as well as the biggest and most influential Hip-Hop/Jazz record with Jazzmatazz 4 of the decade to now. The work I have done with Solar represents a legacy far beyond its time. And we as a team were not afraid to push the envelope. To me this is what true artists do! As men of honor we stood tall in the face of small mindedness, greed, and ignorance. As we fought for music and integrity at the cost of not earning millions and for this I will always be happy and proud, and would like to thank the million fans who have seen us perform over the years from all over the world. The work I have done with Solar represents a legacy far beyond its time and is my most creative and experimental to date. I hope that our music will receive the attention it deserves as it is some of the best work I have done and represents some of the best years of my life.

Whatever has happened, or people would like us to think has happened, Rest In Power Guru. I'll remember your work with Gang Starr as my favourite material that you released. I have listened to your music for the last 20 years, and you will be missed.

RIP.

THROWBACK SATURDAY!

2010-04-10T00:47:00.000-07:00

Man, I used to LOVE this track.

PROPS. Good vid as well.

Charlie Brooker strikes again.

2010-04-08T03:04:00.000-07:00

Well, I know it's lazy of me, and I intend to put some more stuff up here soon (that's normally the kiss of death for a blog - but trust me, it's all good, I've just had a lot on my plate the last couple of weeks), but until then here's a partial cut and paste from here (check the whole article!).

Charlie Brooker, you are a feckin GENIUS.

"...if I've learned anything, it's that I don't much care for mood-altering substances. But I'm not afraid of them either. With one exception.

It's perhaps the biggest threat to the nation's mental wellbeing, yet it's freely available on every street – for pennies. The dealers claim it expands the mind and bolsters the intellect: users experience an initial rush of emotion (often euphoria or rage), followed by what they believe is a state of enhanced awareness. Tragically this "awareness" is a delusion. As they grow increasingly detached from reality, heavy users often exhibit impaired decision-making abilities, becoming paranoid, agitated and quick to anger. In extreme cases they've even been known to form mobs and attack people. Technically it's called "a newspaper", although it's better known by one of its many "street names", such as "The Currant Bun" or "The Mail" or "The Grauniad" (see me – Ed).

In its purest form, a newspaper consists of a collection of facts which, in controlled circumstances, can actively improve knowledge. Unfortunately, facts are expensive, so to save costs and drive up sales, unscrupulous dealers often "cut" the basic contents with cheaper material, such as wild opinion, bullshit, empty hysteria, reheated press releases, advertorial padding and photographs of Lady Gaga with her bum hanging out. The hapless user has little or no concept of the toxicity of the end product: they digest the contents in good faith, only to pay the price later when they find themselves raging incoherently in pubs, or – increasingly – on internet messageboards."

Man, you really need to read this rest of this article. Trust me. If you don't check for Brooker regularly then you need to.

PROPS.

Erykah!

2010-04-05T00:25:00.000-07:00

Well, EVERYONE knows that I love Erykah Badu, especially her first two (studio) albums. Baduizm is a classic, up there for me with any soul album you can name. Mama's Gun = classic. The rest have their moments, but I've not given them as much attention for whatever reason.

Anyway, Erykah's new album is DOPE. "New Amerykah Part Two - Return Of The Ankh" is a real return to the old Erykah, but with samples. It's amazing.

To publicise the new album, she shot - no pun intended - this (now) infamous video on Dealey Plaza, where JFK was shot.

Dope vid, right? YES. Well, some people think so. Others.... less enthusiastic.

According to the Dallas Observer (link here)...

It's Official: The Dallas Police Department Has Charged Erykah Badu With Disorderly Conduct For Public Nudity

At some point in the next few days, Erykah Badu will be sent a letter from the Dallas Police Department. Inside that piece of mail, she'll find a ticket charging her for a Class C misdemeanor, which could cost her $500 in fines.

"The City Attorney's Office and the Dallas Police Department have decided to charge the entertainer known as Erykah Badu with disorderly conduct," Sergeant Warren C. Mitchell of the Dallas Police Department announced shortly after 4:30 p.m. today at a news conference. To a small crowd of reporters assembled at DPD headquarters, Mitchell further explained that the R&B singer and Dallas native born Erica Wright acted with "disregard to individuals nearby" while stripping nude at Dealey Plaza as she filmed the one-take, guerrilla-style music video for her new single "Window Seat."

The charges are being filed based on the lone complaint that the police department has so far received, filed yesterday morning by Ida Espinosa, 32, of Vernon, Texas. The DPD report of the complaint states that Espinosa and her mother, who is listed as a witness in the affidavit, "were present at the video shoot... in which... Badu shed her clothing."

Says Mitchell: Espinosa said she was "disgusted" by what she saw. He also said that Espinosa came to them with the complaint -- and not the other way around. Today's announcement of charges against Badu comes seven days after the video's release on Saturday, March 27, and a full 21 days after the video shoot on Saturday, March 14.
Without Espinosa's complaint, Mitchell says, it was "unlikely" that police would have pursued charges against Badu.
"She came forward and provided us with the information," he said.

Mitchell could not confirm, however, if Espinosa appears as one of the people seen in the background of Badu's music video as she walked around the plaza.

"We're basing it off her testimony," he said. "We base a lot of our reports on first-hand witnesses."
The charge comes as a result, Mitchell said, of the public nudity involved. He admitted an unfamiliarity with the specifics of the code but said that it involves "displaying any part of your genitals and things like that."
"We've looked at other charges but we felt like this is the only one that fits with the concern," Mitchell added. It is still possible, Mitchell said, that City Hall may also fine Badu for not acquiring the proper permits for filming at the location. That much, he said, is out of the DPD's hands.
When asked if he thought Espinosa stepped forward and filed her complaint because of the media uproar over the clip, Mitchell smiled.
"I have no knowledge of that," he said after taking a quick breath. "But it would be a fair guess."
Mitchell himself admitted to having seen the music video before quickly changing the subject.
"I don't want it to appear as if the Dallas Police Department has an opinion one way or another," he continued. "It is against the law, and we will cite you."

Badu has already responded to the charges via her Twitter account. Writes the singer: "Are you watching, America?"

Hilariously, someone calling themselves "Arthur Espinosa" has left the following comment:

"I don't know who this Ms.Badu is and I really don't care. This is not about adults seeing a grown woman strip naked in public. It's about my nine year old grandaughter being subjected to it! Emphasis on IT! Did'nt Ms. Badu or anyone on her team have the foresight to think that there just might be children out there on event day! What, no plan B? What, no permit! Who needs permission when you obviously have no morals, no ethics, and definitely no common sense. I guess she defines ART by what she can get away with. I say charge her with child abuse! Then maybe next time, there won't be a next time! Sign, OG - Original Grandpa"
Posted On: Saturday, Apr. 3 2010 @ 11:02PM

Anyway, the album is amazing, go and cop it now. Awesome stuff.

Five of the best from muh-f***in Charlie Bronson.

2010-03-20T05:48:00.000-07:00

Charlie Bronson, one of my personal heroes. I'm serious. I've got a framed autographed picture of him, courtesy of the missus. Here's my five favourite Bronson films. (I've not counted Once Upon A Time IN The West, because this is supposed to be a list of Bronson star vehicles rather than 'good films he's been in').

The first, the original... Death Wish. A classic - easily Michael Winner's best FILM, as opposed to Michael Winner's best SHIT film. Bronson is amazing in this, seriously great - genuine acting rather than a parody of stoic vengeance, as he later became. Vicious rape scene at the start, in some ways a lot worse than Death Wish 2 as it's more powerful and doesn't resemble a comic book like the sequel does. Some great scenes in general, especially the moment when Paul Kersey realises he's just killed a man for the first time. The Herbie Hancock score is amazing as well.

Bronson-O-Meter: 10/10 (excellent acting, believable characterisation, brooding screen presence)

Best Line:
Bronson: "What do you call people who, when they're faced with a condition or fear, do nothing about it, they just run and hide?"
Son-In-Law: "Civilized?"
Bronson: "No."

Horrible sequel, but if you watch the cut version (with the massively reduced rape scene) then it's pretty good. I've got a soft spot for it cos I watched a sparkly jumpy TV version of it endlessly when I was a kid.

Bronson-O-Meter: 9/10 (the way he changes from day-Bronson to night-Bronson is particularly effective)

Best Line:
Bronson: "Do you believe in Jesus?"
Rapist: "Yes, I do"
Bronson: "Well, you're going to meet him."

Well, this is by far the shittest Death Wish film, but in that regard it reaches highs of unbelievable stupidity and therefore becomes hilarious. (I refer you to an astonishingly accurate review of it over at Jabootu's Bad Movie Dimension. Very comprehensive.) Made in the era of Commando and the like, it's an attempt to move into the action movie genre.

Bronson-O-Meter: 6/10 (he looks uncomfortable and out-of-sorts, scurrying about amongst London rubble)

Best Line:
Bronson: "I'm going out for some ice cream... this is America, isn't it?"

Ten To Midnight is great fun (if that's the appropriate term), a mix of a slasher and police thriller (gotta remember that it came out in 83, the peak time for Hollywood's 'just=past-it' attitude of jumping on a bandwagon... B-Movie cannibalism, if you will) with Bronson as badass cop Leo Kessler hunting Gene Davis (massively effective as sexually ambiguous women ripper Warren Stacy). Great stuff.

Bronson-O-Meter: 8/10 (appropriately stoic and angry)

Best Line:
Bronson: (referring to murdered girl's diary entry about a 'creep'] "Do you know who that is, Warren?
[Warren doesn't respond]
...I'll give you a hint - YOU."

Great adaptation of Elmore Leonard's story about Vince Makestyk, a mild-mannered farmer who suffers with mob-related labour trouble. Apart from a crammed-in subplot to do with the mafia boss getting busted out of custody, this is a really good, thoguhtful and enjoyable film. It also has Brosnons talking about leaving his melons alone, which makes the film worth a purchase in my book.

Bronson-O-Meter: 9/10 (he plays a different character here... salt of the earth farmer who gets pushed too far)

Best Line:
Bronson: "You make sounds like you're a mean little ass-kicker, only I ain't convinced. You keep talking and I'm gonna take your head off."

Pen + Pixel!

2010-03-13T02:08:00.000-08:00

Pen + Pixel were dope in a fantastic / dreadful way in the late 90s. (They were a design company who specialised in OTT rap covers from about 93 - the mid 00s). If you saw the Louis Theroux Gangsta Rap documentary, then you saw Pen + Pixel's HQ.

^ Not Steve Carrell in The Office... the Pen + Pixel boys.

Check this interview out, VERY informative.

Anyway, here's my ten favourite classic / mental Pen + Pixel covers. Enjoy!

2000, Deuce 8 Records. (Seattle, Washington)

1997, South Coast Music Group (N.O., Louisiana)

1999, Smoked Outt Records (N.O., Louisiana)

2002, Sporty Records (N.O., Louisiana)

1994, Too Cold Records (Houston, Texas)

1995, Hard Head Records (N.O., Louisiana)

1996, Cloud 9 Records (Memphis, Tennessee)

1996, Suave House Records (Memphis, Tennessee)

1999, Hypnotize Minds (Memphis, Tennessee)

1998, Tru Game Records (Nebraska)

ALL covers taken from here. MAD props to the dude who's collected them all together.

POW.

RIP BIG part II

2010-03-09T11:22:00.000-08:00

My favourite Biggie verses (we could be here for some time):

Flava In Ya Ear Remix

Niggas is mad I get more butt than ashtrays
fuck a fair one, I get mine the fast ways
ski-mask way, nigga ransom note
far from handsome but damn a nigga tote
more guns than roses, foes is
shakin in their boots
invisible bullies like The Gooch
disappear vamoose, you're wack to me
take them rhymes back to the factory
I see the gimmicks, the wack lyrics
the shit is depressing, pathetic, please forget it
you're mad cause my style you're admiring
don't be mad, UPS is hiring
you shoulda been a cop, fuck hip hop
with that freestyle you're bound to get shot
not from Houston but I Rap-A-Lot
pack the gat a lot
the flav's bout to drop

Think BIG (original version)

Big Poppa throwing niggas off of cliffs
smokin spliffs, disappear wit my bitch
in a Mitsubishi Eclipse, read my lips "I kill you"
blood'll spill too, did I say thank you?
I grant you... three wishes, cos I be the genie
niggas is ass out like fat bitches in bikinis
read between the lines see what I see
I see the diary of a sick bastard
Junior Mafia blaster
Rugas on the hips, bought coke to flip chips
bought slugs to fill clips
flippin coke in porno stores bodega
in the back room playin' Sega, "Street Fighter 2"
I'm invitin' you, bring your writin crew
and they dopest rhymes...
I get up in that ass everytime
lyrically I'm... untouchable, uncrushable
gettin' mad blunted in the six hundred
...Benz, ask your friends who's the illest
lickin shots, niggas screamin "Biggie Smalls tried to kill us!"

Who Shot Ya?

Who shot ya?
Seperate the weak from the ob-so-lete
hard to creep in Brooklyn streets
it's on nigga, fuck all that bickering beef
I can hear sweat trickling down your cheek
your heartbeat sound like Sasquatch feet
thundering, shaking the concrete
finish it, stop, when I foil the plot
neighbors call the cops when they heard mad shots
saw me in the drop, three in the corner
slaughter, electrical tape around your daughter
old school, new school need to learn though
I burn baby burn like Disco Inferno
burn slow like blunts with yayo
peel more skins than Idaho potatoes
niggaz know, the lyrics molestin is takin place
fuckin with B.I.G. it ain't safe
I make your skin chafe, rashes on the masses
bumps and bruises, blunts and Landcruisers
Big Poppa smash fools, bash fools
niggaz mad because I know that Cash Rules
Everything Around Me, two glock nines
any motherfucker whispering about mine
and I'm, Crooklyn's finest
you'll rewind this, Bad Boy's behind this

Mo Money, Mo Problems

B-I-G, P-O, P-P-A
no info, for the, DEA
Federal Agents mad cause I'm flagrant
tap my cell, and the phone in the basement
my team supreme, stay clean
triple beam lyrical dream, I be that
cat you see at all events bent
Gats in holsters girls on shoulders
Playboy, I told ya, bein mice to me
bruise too much, I lose too much
step on stage the girls boo too much
I guess it's cause you run with lame dudes too much
Me lose my touch, never that
If I did, ain't no problem to get the gat
where the true players at?
Throw your Rollies in the sky
wave em side to side and keep your hands high
while I give your girl the eye, player please
lyrically, niggaz see, B.I.G.
be flossin, jig on the cover of Fortune
five double oh, here's my phone number
your man ain't got to know, I got to go
got the flow down pizzat, platinum plus
like thizzat, dangerous
on trizzack, leave your ass flizzat

Unbelievable

B-I-G, G-I-E, AKA, B.I.G.
geddit? Biggie
also known as the bon appetit
rappers can't sleep need sleepin Big keep creepin
bullets heat-seekin, casualties need treatin
dumb rappers need teachin
lesson A - don't fuck with B-I, that's that
oh I, thought he was wack; oh come come now
why y'all so dumb now - hunt me or be hunted
I got three hundred and fifty-seven ways
to simmer sautee, I'm the winner all day
lights get dimmer down Biggie's hallway
my forte causes caucausians to say
he sounds demented, car weed scented
if I said it, I meant it
bite my tongue for no-one
call me evil, or unbelievable

Honorable Mentions (strictly speaking, one verse tracks):

10 Crack Commandments

I Got A Story To Tell

BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDDDDDDMAN

Bonus Biggie moment:

RIP BIG pt I

2010-03-09T10:53:00.000-08:00

"The greatest rapper of all time died March 9th" - "2nd Round KO", Canibus

Biggie - always in my top 3 rappers. RIP.

Premo speaks on Guru + Justin Ruff

2010-03-06T15:25:00.000-08:00

Right, this just in courtesy of DJPremierBlog... transcript and edits by me (taken from 2.40 onwards of audio rip that you can hear HERE taken from LiveFromHQ, 5th March 2010). Edits marked with "..."

Premo:
"Shout to Justin Ruff, you know what I'm sayin, the nephew of Guru, a true soldier and a warrior...

Panchi (co-host):
"A grown ass man!"

Premo:
"Word up, a grown ass man who took it on his own initiative to really really let muhfuckahs know that evil lurks, even in Guru's life still, and that that shit will cease eventually, you know what I'm sayin? Cos God don't like ugly like they say, and like I said love always conquers the devil, please believe it..."

Panchi (co-host):
"They say Guru woke up out of a coma, and released a statement saying that nobody know nothing about him except this lame that's with him. Now, you're telling me that a nigga that's supposed to be dying, woke up out a coma and said 'yo I hear these niggas talking shit about me, yo listen, go out front, tell them niggas that they lyin, that shit is not true, and everything's good,' and then he fell back out. (Premo starts laughing in the background) I'm fucked up. Now when niggas wake up out of comas to straight rumours? Them niggas is nosey as shit. Guru's a nosy muhfuckah, this shit is the truth..."

Premo:
"...To my homie, my partner Guru, we love you, stay strong, no matter what man, you know what I'm sayin, all the evils that lurk around you will leave, you know what I'm sayin, please believe it...
And again shout to his nephew Justin...
Family always shows up to show mutherfuckers how it really goes down, and that's a strong motherfucker man, I love you brother for that...
I really know the family, please believe, and they know me."

"Superproducer" Solar

2010-03-05T12:20:00.000-08:00

TheRealTalibKweli + BussaBus:
RT @DJPremierBlog: It's really sad to see @Solar_7Grand tweeting in Guru name on @GuruGangStarr twitter,I'm concerned about his health,pray

What the FUCK, Solar? The man's a joke.

Solar:
"Guru has made clear he does not want anything to do with certain people from his past, and for them too be making false statements about his health is unacceptable"

Link here.

Solar's response to all this (from here):

My direct response to accusations made on my character! I hate to go into Guru's problem with them but it is needed for the truth to be known. the fact is guru had no type of close relationship with Justin or his mother. fact guru rarely spoke to her or him and has not physically seen them in many years.

Fact Guru directly instructed to not let his sister up to the Hospital, which was not enforced for obvious reasons.He saw this coming. If he is so close let him produce a recent pic with his famous uncle, he can't. Fact Guru wanted me to be at his side during this time and I am proud to be there for him. Fact Nobody tells Guru what to do! That is so foul to say about MAN that you say you love! I have no calls from Justin Just a text which i referred him to his mother who had just visited Guru! And the subsequent leaks against Gurus wishes. Guru is a very private Person and wanted to keep this matter close to protect his loved ones. Attacking me over their poor relationship with Guru is outrageous. Guru is like a Brother to me. we have been through a lot together and we are very close as his father and brother are well aware. And I also am close with Gurus Father and now his brother. I feel bad that they took this tact to vent their frustrations with their lack of closeness with Guru. I hope they can let it go, for Guru's sake. This is what Guru wants and that's what counts.

Peace
Solar

The story thickens.

Jim's Record Of The Week Part 1

2010-03-04T15:12:00.001-08:00

Crown City Rockers - B-Boy

This one goes out to all hip hop heads, especially Palma... I KNOW you'll love this one man.

and here's the REMIX....

Get Well Soon Guru.

2010-03-02T12:46:00.000-08:00

Guru, from Gang Starr, as a lot of you may have heard, has had a heart attack and is in a coma as a result. This is truly dreadful and shocking news, I'm sure you'll all agree, especially as Guru is only 43 years old.

Most recent development (as of 20.47 - 2nd March): he's had surgery, and the surgery has been successful, and he's in a medical induced coma. Get well soon brother.

While we wait for what I can only fervently hope is good news of a full and speedy recovery, here's one of my favourite ever Gang Starr tracks.

UPDATE (March 3rd 2010): Well, we all knew that Solar was a fucking awful producer, but I didn't know he was as shady as this.

(For those who haven't watched the vid - the upshot is that Solar has apparently kept Guru's family away from him, not telling them how he's doing and refusing to contact them with any information at all with whether he's alive or not... what a prick.)

AND the story gets thicker....

I wouldn't like to be Solar at this point in time.

(Bumpy Knuckles, for those who don't know, is Freddie Foxxx...last seen on this blog knocking seven bells out of some dude at Statik Selektah's album launch party).

Update: 4th March 2010

Guru: "I am doing fine and I am recovering!...I'm weak though ... I appreciate your well wishes and all the love."

Jay Electronica Interview (not with me, obviously)

2010-02-28T01:23:00.000-08:00

This comes via the great spinemagazine.com.

Interesting interview, although it's a bit disconcerting to see Jay and the interviewer sitting, staring at nothing while the audience listens to Exhibit A.

Diiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiillaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

2010-02-23T02:15:00.000-08:00

First two parts of Stussy's three part tie-in documentary with Stones Throw and the Dilla Estate (hopefully the Dilla Estate as run by Ma Dukes and Dilla's family).

As interesting as these chunks of documentary are, there's next to no mention of Tribe Called Quest, no mention of Stakes Is High, no interview with anyone from SV, nothing about 1st Down, nothing about Pharcyde, no input from Busta, no input from Common or any of the Soulquarians, and so on and so on. I guess Stones Throw is only interested in Stones Throw, huh.

Also interesting is that Peanut Butter Wolf quite openly jokes about how he put out a Dilla bootleg on vinyl (that hadn't been cleared) for a mixtape he was working on (also not cleared)... when Stones Throw shuts down ANY website that has anything from Stone's Throw on it.

For MY money, here's a much better summary of his career from DJ Judge (originally broadcast on Radio 1190 KVCU Boulder). Massive props man.

Shoplifting Bird

2010-02-23T01:49:00.000-08:00

DJ Palma - The Get Up On It Mixtape - Free Download

2010-02-22T23:46:00.000-08:00

New mix for your ears from DJ Palma (extended Jones fam... as well as doing the Sound Awareness show directly after ours on www.icrfm.co.uk on a Friday night / Saturday morning, he's an established EA Hip Hop LEGEND!).

Dope cover design by DJ Ben Marr (aka Skema), all round great dude and the Afrika Bambaataa of East Anglia.

Let's let Palma tell you what it's about.

"I hope you dig it, feel the track selection and feel compelled to listen to it more than once. I am sure more than a few of you educated hip hop fans will know the tracks or be familiar with the artists featured. Nothing ultra obscure because that's not my focus here. I included only a few what you may consider rare pieces, but most importantly and specifically records I have loved since the days of my youth which I merited on the quality of dope, funky beats and rhymes between the grooves. Please feel free to share with your homeboys and girls or add to your blog.
Thanks to DJ Ambrose, J.Mack, J/157, Ben Marr, Jimbo, Kid Dyno and The Beat Detective, and all the true school hip hop die-hards and artists on this mix CD for the inspiration."

DOWNLOAD LINK:
Sound Awareness Presents The Get Up On It Mixtape mixed by DJ Palma.

If you want to check it before the download, here's a stream (biggup Kid Dynomite for the link).

Tracklist:

1. Intro
2. Get On Up - Divine Styler
3. Get Into It - Big Daddy Kane
4. That's The Flavor - Busy Boys
5. My Rhythm Is Kept - Kay D + DJ Stash
6. Get Nifty - Hot Day AKA Dante ft Mystique
7. A Is For Antoinette - Antoinette
8. Turn It Loose - Steady B
9. Goodfoot - D Moet + Xcalibur
10. Giddy Up - Three Times Dope
11. School Of Hardknocks - The Amazing JeWel T
12. Cold New Yorkin' - King Sun
13. This Is Something Funky To Step To - Double XX Posse
14. Hypocritters - The Jaz
15. Go To Work - Kool D + Technolo G
16. Trooper On The Mike - Raw Corp ft DJ Len
17. Ain't Going Out Like That - DR Luv + Kev-Ski
18. You Know The Outcome - Priority One
19. D Nice Rocks The House - DJ Scott La Rock + D-Nice
20. Trag Invasion - Tragedy The Intelligent Hoodlum

And yep, that's me on the doubles / juggles and occasional cuts (purely for window dressing purposes, you understand).

DOPE mix! It's a freebie and well worth checking out.

Also, check out the dope write up at the Daily Diggers blog here.

POW!

Exhibit Driis

2010-02-19T13:04:00.000-08:00

So, it's official according to the Jones family and Reggie Rhythm.... THIS is the best version of Exhibit C so far (apart from the OG version, obviously). Although Escobar reckons that the Twista version has merit. Anyway, this one is from Idris Elba (see post before last). Lyrics are DOPE, delivery is sick...

EXHIBIT DRIIS

Blaze... Electronica... large mate!
a large portion of fish and chips and a large plate
a large thank fuck for you for fuck's sakes
and I know it ain't your birthday but a large frickin cake
with the candle that you're holding on for who the fuck is great
now enough fuckin fucks but I have to frickin say
that you are number one of my list of MCs
and I diss them MCs who ain't got nothin to say... no doubt bwoy...
cos this way lies the truth and the truth will hurt
and this way lies the booth where the lies won't work
I'm a 10, I think forward check the name on the shirt
I'm just an actor, don't make me embarass ya
I write a ghost verse for my rapping character
have you call your mum and dad asking for ya barrister
so calm, so cool, collected
future breaks on repeat, bruv you can't eject it, nah
I heard your freestyle, I didn't respect it, brah
I heard your album, that's what I expected, huh
a pile of shit, a pile of words on a beat
if I saw you on the street I'd punch you straight off your feet
call my Camden Town mans and rob the gold from your teeth
rob you in the library, ask my neezy Big Neef (true stories!)
...now you can call me Steve
the way I'm giving out Jobs to those who like to rob
It Takes Two minutes like EZ and Rob
but with one black face like the Princess and the Frog
uhh... now I'm a dutty nig-nog
and I come from an area where they call me a wog
but now, and I quote man, they call me a god
but the girls got it backwards calling me a fucking dog
a pedigree, not a chump
keep my eyes wide open and my mouth tight shut
keep my finger on my trigger of my ten minus one
the small of my back sees my 140... am to pm...

Here it streaming here, OR download it here.

MASSIVE PROPS to Driis for this one.

Raekwon, Ghostface, Method Man

2010-02-17T00:25:00.000-08:00

This looks like it's going to be DOPE. According to Kevin Nottingham, Rae dropped the artwork on twitter... looks AMAZING.

And according to Paulo Escobar, the supergroup is called "Bastard Swordsmen".

And in case we've forgotten just how dope those three sound when they're on a track?

Album drops March 9th (RIP Biggie).

Idris Elba

2010-02-15T02:56:00.000-08:00

Wow.... wasn't expecting this. Props to Truth for the heads-up...

You probably know Idris Elba from either The Wire (where he played Stringer Bell) or American Gangster (where Denzel shoots him in the middle of the street).

What *I* only recently found out (and apologies for being slow on this one) was that
(a) he's British and
(b) he's a rapper / singer. And he's a good one, as well, which is even more surprising (bearing in mind that he made his name as an actor).

His "High Class Problems" EP has just dropped on iTunes (UK), and it's worth picking up - production is tight, including a track he co-produced with Pete Rock. (He did a track with 9th Wonder called Private Garden that didn't make the cut for some reason, but you can check that here.)

Here's his blog, it's worth checking out. PROPS.

John John John John John John John.....

2010-02-13T01:26:00.000-08:00

You all know that John Mayer is a big favourite here in the Jones household, so it was pretty surprising to read about his Playboy interview. He said some silly stuff. There are a lot of posts and blogs and so on saying he's racist and all that, normal shock and horrified reactions etc.

As per usual, there are two bits that have been focused on by the blogging / online community: his comments about Jessica Simpson (apparently she's "sexual napalm"), and his comments about "black people love me".

Now, I'm obviously pretty biased (being a Mayer fan), but I take this stuff seriously enough to think it through and try and give the dude a fair hearing.

At the start of the interview, which no-one else bothers to mention, the interviewer (Playboy contributing editor Rob Tannenbaum) says: "John Mayer talks the way he plays guitar solos—the words tumble out fast, like notes... He’s a prodigious talker, and he always brought up touchy subjects... before I mentioned them, to show he wasn’t afraid to address them. From his soft-spoken songs you can’t tell how stubborn and defiant he is... Or how mischievous he is." link (link not suitable for work).
Now, to be fair, if you read the following extracts with that in mind, it might make more sense. And who knows, he may very well have been high.

MAYER: My two biggest hits are “Your Body Is a Wonderland” and “Daughters.” If you think those songs are pandering, then you’ll think I’m a douche bag. It’s like I come on very strong. I am a very…I’m just very. V-E-R-Y. And if you can’t handle very, then I’m a douche bag. But I think the world needs a little very. That’s why black people love me.

PLAYBOY: Because you’re very?

MAYER: Someone asked me the other day, “What does it feel like now to have a hood pass?” And by the way, it’s sort of a contradiction in terms, because if you really had a hood pass, you could call it a n*gger pass. Why are you pulling a punch and calling it a hood pass if you really have a hood pass? But I said, “I can’t really have a hood pass. I’ve never walked into a restaurant, asked for a table and been told, ‘We’re full.’"

PLAYBOY: It is true; a lot of rappers love you. You recorded with Common and Kanye West, played live with Jay-Z.

MAYER: What is being black? It’s making the most of your life, not taking a single moment for granted. Taking something that’s seen as a struggle and making it work for you, or you’ll die inside. Not to say that my struggle is like the collective struggle of black America. But maybe my struggle is similar to one black dude’s.

PLAYBOY: Do black women throw themselves at you?

MAYER: I don’t think I open myself to it. My d!ck is sort of like a white supremacist. I’ve got a Benetton heart and a f*ckin’ David Duke c*ck. I’m going to start dating separately from my d!ck.

PLAYBOY: Let’s put some names out there. Let’s get specific.

MAYER: I always thought Holly Robinson Peete was gorgeous. Every white dude loved Hilary from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. And Kerry Washington. She’s superhot, and she’s also white-girl crazy. Kerry Washington would break your heart like a white girl. Just all of a sudden she’d be like, “Yeah, I sucked his d!ck. Whatever.” And you’d be like, “What? We weren’t talking about that.”

Pretty stupid, by all accounts. But racist? Probably not. When he says "black people love me", is he likely to be saying to saying it with a sarcastic tone... or as if he truly believes that every black person loves him?

Mayer is a funny dude, he's very dry in interviews and has obviously got a sense of humour about how people see him. For example, at another point in the interview, he says that he kissed that idiot Perez Hilton (for wind-up purposes), the joker who called will.i.am a "faggot" last year. He's then asked would he kiss Harvey Levin (who runs the TMZ website, another gossip page). His answer?

MAYER: I would rim him, probably. I can’t just repeat the kissing trick.

So we're not looking at a serious interview here. But these things always get taken and run with by the press, and in blog-land (much like I'm doing here).

For the record and for those who don't know, Mayer has worked with a load of black and mixed-race / dual heritage musicians and rappers, including Jay-Z, Common, Kanye West, Alicia Keys, Wale, ?uestlove, BB King, John Lee Hooker and more that I can't remember at this moment. He also appeared on Chappelle's Show, quite obviously taking the piss out of white people loving guitar music, black people loving drum based music, and latino people loving... well, you have to see the clip for it to make sense, look it up on youtube or something. And he played at the MJ funeral... for what that's worth in race-related terms.
Of course, he's also worked with a load of white musicians, and probably a load of musicians from different racial backgrounds, I dunno. But really, his comments were probably said tongue-in-cheek in a self-deprecating way. He's apologised already, and this will probably haunt him for a bit, but it's all good. It's a shame that these interviews don't always include "tone of voice"... that would clear up a hell of a lot of confusion.

Anyway, let's check something decent out and move on (I apologise for the dreadful visuals on this, nothing to do with me).

Read the full thing on the Playboy website here (not suitable for work, obviously).

Toyota... Toy Yoda..... bloody hell

2010-02-13T00:28:00.000-08:00

Unbelievable! What a bunch of bastards!

PANAMA CITY, FLA. -- A former Hooters waitress here settled her lawsuit against franchisee Gulf Coast Wings Inc. over its alleged deception in promising a new Toyota as a sales prize but instead rewarding her with a new "toy Yoda" doll.

Ex-server Jodee Berry, 27, now can "pick out whatever type of Toyota she wants," her attorney, David Noll, was quoted by the Associated Press as saying. However, he would not disclose the settlement's details. After winning the beer sales contest last May, Berry quit her job and sued for breach of contract and fraudulent misrepresentation.

A manager was quoted as saying the contest was an April Fools' Day joke.

MAAAAN, some companies will do anything, won't they. It's pretty funny, in a sort of "snort-once-and-sort-of-smile-then-realise-that-someone's-hope-has-been-built-up-and-then-dashed-just-for-a-cheap-pun" way, but daaaaaaaaamn.

Here's ONE possible way of looking at it... the way *I* think it happened.
That girl must have bust her ASS to sell more beer than anyone else in her branch of Hooters (which isn't as great as it sounds, to be fair, load of girls serving beers and junk food while on roller skates dressed in what looks like 1970s gym kit), then was told she was going to get any car she wanted, then they give her a shit toy of a character that George Lucas has basically devalued over the last decade and say "ha ha ha, yeah, we know you thought we meant a Toyota car, but actually we meant a toy, ha ha ha".

Of course, there's always the possibility that they put up a massive picture of Yoda, wrote under them "hey, you want a toy of Yoda? then work as hard as you can to sell as much beer as possible to idiots, then you can have one!" and then put in really small writing "this is not a car".
But I doubt that's how it went down.

ORRRRRR.... potential way it went down number 3:
Maybe they had an hour when they said "right, whoever sells the most beer to our high class patrons in the next hour will win a TOYYODA!"
staff: "A Toyota?"
manager: "Yeah! A.... TOYYODA!"
staff: "A Toyota like the car?"
manager: "(pause) ummmm....let's go to work!"

Story from here.

OOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! :) :) :)

2010-02-07T12:40:00.000-08:00

Right, check THIS out. Great project, great website. I'm smiling from ear to ear. No joke.

Just click on this link. CLICK ON IT!

J-Dilla Foundation

I'll give you a clue.... it's connected with a certain musical genius (Rest In Power) who would be celebrating his birthday with us today (February 7th), pictured here in a school photo.

Great to hear Ma Dukes's voice.

Dan Hughes

2010-02-06T09:56:00.000-08:00

Right, back to nepotism corner over at the Jones Family household. Dan Hughes is my cousin, but that really doesn't mean a great deal as regards to why I'm writing about him, cos I've got a load of other cousins but you don't see me writing about them, do ya? (no offence guys and gals.)

^ Dan playing live

The reason I'm writing about Dan is because he's a SHIT HOT guitarist. He's starting to pick up a bit of steam, got an EP coming out, playing gigs around the country (and we recorded a project a couple of years back that still isn't finished.... MG get in touch son!).

Anyway, here's an article about him from here.

I never would have believed it if someone told me I’d be privy to a competent rendition of Muddy Water’s Hoochie Coochie Man when I visited the King Billy last week. But that’s what I got when I went to see a young guitar player by the name of Dan Hughes.

Within the first few minutes of this gig, I knew this guy was channeling the inner Clapton which was confirmed when Hughes and his backup band The Others followed up with Old Love.

Hughes then played an original which is going to feature on an upcoming EP he will call Future Holds. The song was titled Into Space and had 3/4 time! (Seems silly to mention but it’s a bit of a rarity for me seeing local bands use this)

Hughes continued to impress with a courageous and successful cover of Pink Floyd’s Breathe. It was an excellent choice of song for the style of the band.

I found a video posted on YouTube of Dan Hughes jamming with The Others and I’d like to share because a wise man once told me that music journalism is like dancing about architecture. Words will never do the music justice.

Here's him in action (he's the dude in orange).

And here's his website. Check it out.

Also, (although he hasn't bothered to add ME, so much for family loyalty Dan) follow him on Twitter here.

Anyway, check him out.... POW!

Freddie Foxxx.... DON'T TEST

2010-02-05T11:48:00.001-08:00

Now, everyone knows Freddie Foxxx is a badass. EVERYONE.

^ Freddie Foxxx at Statik Selektah's "100% Proof" launch party. (Note DJ Premier in the background, unable to get in the picture because Freddie Foxxx is so damn BIG.)

Well, everyone it seems apart from THIS DUDE (pictured below) in a purple hoodie.

I have absolutely no idea what is going on here, but I know it's a very bad idea.
I'm not a massive fan of Freddie overall, but let's be fair, look at the size of his hands. He's not called Bumpy Knuckles cos it's just a funny name.

...and this picture is hilarious. (not because it's funny, because it's terrifying)

I would like to see the "after" pictures... actually, on second thoughts, I wouldn't. I would imagine that the dude in the purple didn't look that great.

Find the original Statik Selektah pics here.

My Beastie Boys Mixtape

2010-02-02T12:50:00.000-08:00

Yep, got another mixtape to drop for you lucky people.... hahaha

I've been listening to the Beastie Boys since at least 86, maybe before then. The first two singles I ever bought were Wipeout by the Fat Boys and the Beach Boys, and She's On It by the Beasties. The Beasties have been a massive part of my life's soundtrack, and like the Marvin Gaye mix I did, this is one that was a labour of love. It took a fair old while, mainly because I wasn't sure how to approach it... but I've jumped on it for the last week or so and now it's out.

So, what's on it? Well, there's a shitload of exclusive blends (by me!), some classic remixes, some guest spots, a couple of hard-to-find demos / alternate versions and some guest appearances from Def Squad, Q-Tip, Nas, Jay-Z, De La Soul, Milk D and B-Real. Oh yeah, and big up to Joe Scudda for doing the shouts. Nice one man. Download it here:

BROOKLYN DUST
The Beastie Boys Mixtape
(exclusive blends marked with a *)

1. Intro
2. *Too Many Haters ft Nas
3. Root Down (Prunes remix)
4. *Rhyme Nostalgia
5. Body Movin (Def Squad remix) ft Erick Sermon, Redman + Biz Markie
6. *NY Scientists
7. Get It Together (Buckwild remix) ft Q-Tip
8. *Right Now Feel The Horns
9. Gratitude
10. Sabotage
11. Remote Control
12. *Disturbed Word
13. Squat - De La Soul ft Mike D + Adrock
14. Intergalactic ('94 demo)
15. *Jay-Unit
16. 4 Fly Guys ft Hurricane
17. *Insane B-Boys
18. Jay-Z Live Interlude
19. No Sleep Till Brooklyn (original mix)
20. 99 Problems (Just Blaze blend) - Jay-Z
21. *Stop That Black Mag
22. So What'cha Want? (Soul Assassins remix) ft B-Real
23. Spam - Milk D ft Ad-Rock
24. *Three The Nubian Way
25. *NY We Go Hard
26. Ricky's Theme
27. Shake Your Rump / Madlib remix
28. *Police Negotiation
29. *Turn Alive
30. *Ooh-Wee Check It
31. *Triple Rappers Delight ft Sugarhill Gang
32. *Me, Myself + My Lifestyle
33. Once Around The Corner (The Fowl Song)
34. Fight For Your Right To Party (alternate lyrics mix)
35. Something's Got To Give

Here's a couple of the blends for you to check if you're still not sure...

The mixtape took a while to do, hope you like it. Leave feedback if you're feeling it!

Peace.

This Is Interesting.... Not Surprising Though

2010-02-02T04:49:00.000-08:00

OK, now THIS is funny. Taken from google news.

'Eggs come from sheep': survey shows kids clueless about food (OG link)

Many young children do not know where their food originates from, a survey showed on Tuesday, with some youngsters believing bacon comes from horses and eggs come from sheep.

Less than one in four of those surveyed knew that beef burgers are sourced from cows, said rural insurance firm Cornish Mutual, which commissioned the research. More than a quarter (29 percent) thought pigs was the correct answer.

The survey, which tested the food knowledge of over 1,100 children from Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset between the ages of six and eight, found that two thirds struggled to identify where everyday food products come from.

When asked where crisps came from, some confused pupils listed rabbits, plastic or sheep as the main ingredient, though the vast majority did know potatoes was the right answer.

Some youngsters thought yoghurt was made using turkeys and ducks, while others believed cheese came from rats, mice or butterflies.

The subject of vegetables scored better with the children. Nearly all (98 percent) could recognise carrots and sweetcorn, nearly two thirds knew a healthy diet requires five portions of fruit or vegetables a day and 77 percent of those surveyed had visited a farm.

Still, the managing director of Cornish Mutual admitted he was "surprised" by the findings and said there were "some huge gaps" in children's food knowledge.

"Given that we are surrounded by farming and the countryside, we would have expected children in the region to know more about the origins of their food," said Alan Goddard.

The food survey coincides with the launch of a new campaign called "Dig Down South West" aimed at encouraging children to start their own vegetable patch.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I would LOVE to see pictures of that vegetable patch. MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAA

Star Wars Facebook

2010-01-29T12:13:00.000-08:00

In amongst all of the chaff, there are some absolute GEMS on http://www.collegehumor.com. Like these.

MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD PROPS. Check all of em here.

Eternia.... DOPENESS

2010-01-27T11:31:00.000-08:00

You may remember Eternia from such blog posts as this one. Here she is again. DOPE. Props to KevinNottingham.com for the link.

SO dope. POW.

Pranking The God Channel

2010-01-25T13:32:00.000-08:00

I don't find these funny because they're pranking Christians, before anyone gets offended. I find them funny because the hosts have no idea what's going on. There *are* puerile and offensive ones posted up on youtube, but you won't find them here. I haven't posted those ones because they're rubbish. THESE ones are genuinely funny, I believe.
However, that said, the funniest thing about the third one is the off-camera voice saying "No! No!" as soon as the host gets a few words in and the crew realise what's going on.

NOTE: I actually feared that I would have some kind of seizure after watching these, I was laughing so hard.

EDIT: I have just stopped laughing after about seven minutes.

Horribly Disturbing News Of The Week

2010-01-23T12:23:00.000-08:00

Eeeewwwwwwwww.

OK, this is pretty nasty. Be warned.

A woman whose noisy sex sessions were officially branded anti-social behaviour is liable to find herself behind bars if she fails to stop excessively loud lovemaking, a court has ruled.

Caroline Cartwright has been given an eight-week prison term suspended for 12 months -- meaning if she engages in over-noisy coupling again in the next year she will immediately be jailed.

"I've heard a very short extract of the noise you make and can well see that your neighbours would be upset and distressed by this," said judge Beatrice Bolton at Newcastle Crown Court.

Cartwright was served with a civil order over marathon romps with husband Steve, described in court as "unnatural" and "like they are both in considerable pain."

Neighbours at their home in Washington, south of Newcastle, had complained about the noise -- as did passers-by and the neighbourhood letter carrier.

Cartwright was served with an anti-social behaviour order, but admitted at a previous hearing to having violated it almost immediately, and repeatedly, last April.

At an earlier hearing the court was told that the local council set up special equipment in a neighbour's flat and recorded noise levels of 30-40 decibels, peaking at 47 -- as loud as a conversation in the same room.

Cartwright told the court she had tried to restrain herself.

"I did not understand why people asked me to be quiet because to me it is normal," she said, adding: "I have tried to minimise the situation by having sex in the morning - not at night - so the noise was not waking anybody.

"I may be sympathetic to it, but it is not something I am doing on purpose."

Article taken from here.

Ewwwwwwwwwww.

Wiley Freestyle

2010-01-20T12:11:00.001-08:00

My Favourite Grime Artist

POW

FREE New Kashmere + Truth Track (with me scratching, yeeeaaaahhhh)

2010-01-18T10:12:00.000-08:00

Do You Understand? (produced by Kashmere, mixed by Crossbone T)
Kashmere + Truth (Scratches by Jimmy Green)
Taken from "Rapsploitation - Three Years High And Rising"

Free Download here:

Do You Understand?

POW

ROOOOOOOOODIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGAAAAAAAAAAAAAN

2010-01-15T10:07:00.000-08:00

ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOODIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

Been searching on the net for something to post up about Rodigan, so that if you don't know who he is then it'll enlighten you to one of my DJ heroes.... I could start with the start of this article:

Rodigan’s street cred as a selector is impeccable: every Wednesday night he pulls a crowd of hardcore, homesick yardies at Subterania, a reggae club in Ladbroke Grove. They are not allowed to smoke weed when he’s onstage. If he smells it, he stops the show - and no bottles are pelted.

But all you need to know is that he's one of the most influential and highly-respected reggae DJs in the world. He's also white, in his 50s, middle-class and comes from Oxford. For over 30 years he's been presenting reggae shows in the UK, with an appreciative audience of Jamaicans living in the UK. He's been collecting reggae vinyl for over 40 years. He's had (and still has) dubplates recorded for him from some of the biggest reggae artists in the world, interpolating his name into the biggest riddims of the day.
Check out the amazing article on him by Nazma Muller here.
Here's an extract detailing Rodigan's first public appearance in the UK after he started presenting Roots Rockers on London's Capital Radio.

A big show was being held at the Apollo Club in Willesden, one of the oldest black clubs in London. The show had been billed to the max, and he walked onstage to face a room packed to the rafters. From cheers, screams and hollers, recalls Rodigan, “a deathly silence descended upon the masses.” Mouths dropped. No! A white man! The crowd stared in disbelief: this could not be David Rodigan, the voice they listened to every week, a regular as church. The MC whispered to him, “If you don’t say something, this place is going to explode!”
As Rodigan started to speak, he could see people closing their eves, trying to match this white man’s voice with what they knew from the radio. They opened their eyes, still disbelieving until he played his signature tune, “Mash Down Rome” by Michael Prophet, and that was it. Bedlam broke out. The place went wild, and Rodigan knew he had them. The music was in control and it didn’t matter the colour of the person playing it.

Masive props to Nazma Muller for that account. Again, you should check that article out here.

Ronald Jenkees

2010-01-10T22:56:00.000-08:00

Props to DJ Tipz (blog here)for finding the link to this one. HOLY CALAMITY SCREAM INSANITY! This is just nuts. Massively, massively dope. I'm gonna cop one of his CDs when I get paid.

Check Ronald's website here.

POW!

UPDATE:

Oh..My...LAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWD

Unbelievable.

Here's something off wikipedia (for what that's worth).

Jenkees began playing music at 4 years old, when he received a toy keyboard for Christmas as a gift. Using this keyboard, he learned simple melodies and played with friends. While still at a young age, he received a Yamaha PSR-500. He attempted piano lessons in the seventh grade, but these were unsuccessful. Jenkees discovered how to sequence and layer music using his Yamaha keyboard, and began playing hip hop music. He joined a marching band in high school, and despite being unable to read sheet music, the band director let Jenkees create his own keyboard parts and "jam out" in state competitions. The band director encouraged Jenkees to learn to read music, but he continued to play by ear. He is from Kentucky.

Jenkees became enthusiastic about FL Studio after a friend introduced him to it. From about 2003, he began releasing beats and raps online under the name "Big Cheez". Under this name, he produced the 2005 album Straight Laced by Fish. In 2006, Jenkees started posting videos on YouTube to entertain people, but he later began posting music-related videos. Jenkees felt that the "goofiness" he showed helped him "not feel like such a show-off". One example would be the video in which Ronald shows people "How to snap your fingers the cool way". His videos tended to feature him wearing a hat and greeting his viewers with "Hello Youtubes". His videos gradually gained popularity, and saw a boom in popularity when Bill Simmons from ESPN.com advertised Jenkees and asked him to record his podcast theme. In 2007, Jenkees independently released his first studio album, Ronald Jenkees. In June 2009, Jenkees was featured on the STS9 album, "Peaceblaster: The New Orleans Make It Right Remixes," producing a remix of "Beyond Right Now".

On July 31, 2009, Jenkees announced via his Twitter account that he had released his second album, Disorganized Fun, on his website. It is currently available in MP3 format and physical compact discs.

Wow.

Food For Thought

2010-01-10T06:37:00.000-08:00

My views on organised religion are not something that I wish to publicise on here, as I don't think this place is the forum for those. I am not using this post to slate anyone, religious or not (regardless of what religion they follow), it's just something that was interesting to me.

I forget where it came from now, but the following article / open letter was posted up somewhere online a few months back and I saved it, as I thought it was interesting... simply because the current bible (in common with most religious texts, I would imagine) doesn't take into account changes in culture over time. Now, I'm not saying that people's sacred texts SHOULD be changed, but what I am saying is that living your life by the literal word of something that was written / translated into English many hundreds of years ago might throw up some problems, especially if you're particularly strict about it.

Note: the "Jim" at the end of the letter ISN'T me.

"Dr. Laura Schlessinger (above) is a radio personality who dispenses advice to people who call in to her radio show. Recently, she said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22 and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following is an open letter to Dr. Laura penned by a east coast resident, which was posted on the Internet. It's funny, as well as informative:"

Dear Dr. Laura:
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the other specific laws and how to follow them:

1. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15:19- 24. The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

4. Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath.. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? - Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Your devoted fan, Jim.

Iron Man VS Bruce Lee

2010-01-08T02:21:00.000-08:00

Well, the title of the post gives it away.

MASSIVE props to Jones Family fam Fluff for posting up the link.

POW

WAX

2010-01-05T13:42:00.000-08:00

Wow, I'd totally forgotten about this dude. I posted this clip up on a few forums a couple of years back, I copped his album, not as good as this though. Check him MURDER the Traffic Jam riddim.

MAD PROPS!

EDIT / UPDATE:

Kashmere found this little gem and posted it up last night.

POW POW

The Crowd - DOPE Free Download

2010-01-04T12:30:00.000-08:00

Well, it's a good day when I get sent something free that I like, and I can pass on to everyone else without having to worry about it...

The free SonnyJim track a couple of days back (last post) was one, and this is another.

Courtesy of the fantastic Dilla-lovin Jessica Estevez over on twitter (follow her here), here's a new act that I haven't checked for previously, but WILL be checking for from now on. They're called THE CROWD.

Here.... have a freebie!
A Memoir

...man, I swear that's a Dilla beat.
EDIT - nah, it's the same loop J-Live used in 07 though. Sounds dope.

Who are they? Well, here's the lowdown off their site.

The core of The Crowd is a trio that consists of two Emcees (Akil Dasan & Randy Mason) and a female vocalist (Adeline). Often compared to the Fugees and the Black Eyed Peas, their music is an exciting new style of Hip-Hop-Pop that draws upon The Crowd’s unique skill set. Everyone in The Crowd plays an instrument and they write and co-produce all of their material. At a Crowd show you can expect to see a live demonstration of everything that has made Hip-Hop a global phenomenon: beatboxing, bboying (breakdancing), rapping, singing, hot tracks, live instruments and of course, crowd participation. Fresh, talented and innovative, The Crowd fills up every room with a unique brand of “feel good” energy, whether at a show, in a club or blasting out your living room speakers.

I know, I know, the mention of the Black Eyed Peas might have turned you away, but come back, COME BACK! Rememebr the Black Eyed Peas DID do some dope tracks back in the day. THAT'S the type of stuff we're talking about here. You don't believe me? In which case you haven't downloaded "A Memoir" (the free track up there ^, dummy, and you're no friend of mine! Come on, trust your old pal Jimbo, I'll never steer you wrong.

Seriously, check 'em out.

Check their Facebook page here.

MASSIVE props to Ms Estevez for the heads up. Biggup!

New SonnyJim track for download

2010-01-02T04:57:00.001-08:00

Yo yo yo... nice early promo 2010 action from one of the UK's finest. Don't say the Jones Family doesn't ever give you anything (courtesy of those warm-hearted folks at EatGood Records). Happy New Year.

Anyway, if you check this page, you probably know who SonnyJim is. He's one of the UK's finest rappers, been putting in work for years now, played Rapsploitation Sessions twice (and ripped it) and dropped the massively heavy "Mission Statement" EP which has been on heavy rotation in the Jones Household since I copped it on iTunes last year.

If that's STILL not ringing a bell, then click the link below and download this new track "The Purple Patch", produced by Kelakovski, and see what the fuss is about.

Download Here:
The Purple Patch (produced by Kelakovski) - EXPLICIT LYRICS

Here's the promo blurb:

EATGOOD RECORDS PRESENTS “SONNYJIM - THE PURPLE PATCH”

KICKIN OFF 2010 WE HAVE THE FIRST INSTALLMENT OF A FOUR PART SERIES:

SONNYJIM - THE PURPLE PATCH (PART 1) PRODUCED BY KELAKOVSKI.

TAKING IT BACK TO WHEN MCS JUST USED TO RHYME, SPAZZIN OUT WITH THE BARS, FUCK A HOOK STRAIGHT UP SMACK U IN THE FACE HIPHOP HOW IT USED TO BE BEFORE OUR MCS STARTED RHYMIN OVER THAT HOUSE MUSIC SHIT.

PRODUCED BY EATGOOD RECORDS IN HOUSE HEAT MAKER, THE ALMIGHTY KELAKOVSKI.

PLEASE PASS THIS ON. LINK IT. BLOG IT. SHARE IT. SELL IT. BURN IT. PLAY IT FOR YOUR GRAN.

And on top of that....

LOOK OUT FOR MORE MUSIC COMING SOON FROM SONNYJIM IN 2010 WITH ARTISTS SUCH AS ILLMIND, MARCO POLO, M-PHAZES, PRINCE PO, AG (DITC), JZONE. WE ALSO HAVE SONNYJIMS - TRADING STANDARDS REMIX PROJECT DROPPIN IN MARCH 2010 WITH EXCLUSIVE REMIXES BY LOTEK HI FI, KOSYNE, JON PHONICS & MORE!

As an added bonus, if you didn't cop my "Jimstrumentals" CD last year, I used one of his verses on it:
Rock Boy (The Next Generation) - from Jimstrumentals
...and he worked with extended Jones fam ReggiiMental as part of the Graveyard Shift project a couple of years back.
Coolin (Jimmy Green remix).

Hit up SonnyJim, Kelakovski and other EatGood Records fam here:

SonnyJim's youtube
SonnyJim on Twitter
SonnyJim on Myspace
EatGood Records on youtube
Kelakovski's website
LouisDen website
EatGood Records website

Best of 2009 part 1

2010-01-01T13:14:00.000-08:00

Well, there were a LOAD of things that happened in 2009. I'm not going to dwell on the horrible ones, really, but here's one of my favourites, in two chunks.

1. Christian Bale goes mental on the set of Terminator Salvation.

Now, before you hear it and think he's being completely out of order (which he sort of is), remember that he's filming a scene - not rehearsing one, but actually filming it - and some dude is wandering about directly in his eyeline moving the lights about. Now, even I know that you shouldn't just wander around a film set and start moving things about while people are filming a scene, let alone just a few feet away from the star of the film while he's filming a pivotal scene. But equally, it should have been the director who gave the bollocking, not Bale. Anyway, here's the audio.
WARNING: *definitely* not suitable for work.

2. Christian Bale has a massive argument with Peter Griffin.

Yeah, that's pretty much it, you cna guess what is going on here. Extract from Family Guy.

WARNING: *definitely* not suitable for work, again.

Peter Griffin and Christian Bale

More to follow, when I get round to it. Happy New Year!

DOPE Photographers

2009-12-30T02:36:00.000-08:00

and no, I don't mean the type of sadsack who takes pictures of weed and posts them up everywhere.

Here's two photographers who I know who are AMAZING. One now resides in Australia, one still in East Anglia, UK.

1. Sam Barker

This is him.

Sam does pictures of people, landscapes and all inbetween. His composition is amazing, and the colours in his pictures are vibrant and uniformly superb. He also did a load of the photography for Rapsploitation Sessions. He's now based in the land down under. Here's some of his recent pics from his blogspot.

And, of course, he did THIS little beauty which is currently pride of place framed in the Jones Family dining room. (That's Akil from Jurassic 5, with a dashingly handsome and talented DJ in the background.)

In his own words, "I take photographs of things I like & find interesting. If you like what I do, thankyou. If you don't like what I do, thankyou too." He also had an exhibition at Jones Family favourite shop Black Sheep at the Raplowtation event I mentioned on here before.

Check out his work here.
Sam Barker's Blog

2. Jen O'Neill

Jen takes amazing pics of bands and musicians, either in performance or for promo pics, amongst other things.

This is her.

She is DOPE, her pictures really catch the energy and mood of whatever or whoever she's taking pictures of. She's had her work in The Sun, the Eevening Star, on BBC Look East, the BBC website and the Grapevine, among others, and had a great exhibition at Jones Family regular haunt The Swan in Ipswich (also home to the internationally reknowned Rapsploitation Sessions). Check these pics out.

Jen specialises in "Live Music photography, Events and Functions, Natural Images and Landscapes," and has had recommendations from US ska-punk band Less Than Jake, Franz Ferdinand, Go Records and the BBC. Go Jen!

Check out her work here.
Jen O'Neill's Website

Both of them are talented as all hell! To be honest, I'm expecting big things from them in the future... well, bigger than their considerable portfolios so far! If you're needing photographers, then give them a shout on their websites. POW.

Massive props to both of them - support the local talent!

Mys-Diggy's 09 Rap Up

2009-12-29T16:05:00.000-08:00

I've been posting a lot of video clips recently, and I don't really want to post another one, but this is MASSIVELY worth it so here you go.

With Skillz's annual Rap Ups now part of the end of December the same as end of year lists on the net, the legendary Mystro has done his own one. And, to be honest, I'm feeling this more than the Skillz one (that dropped earlier today).

* * * * * * * * * *

Patronisation Corner:
For the uninitiated who DON'T listen to rap all day and have no idea what this all means -
the Rap Ups are an annual release, basically putting the notable events of the year into one long rap verse.
*steps down from Patronising Podium*

* * * * * * * * * *

Check it out. PROPS MYS!

Souls Of Mischief ruffle some feathers... Soulja Boy catches feelings

2009-12-28T02:57:00.001-08:00

From those kindly folk over at SoulCultureTV, here's a recent Souls Of Mischief interview about that old chesnut.... the G.R.O.A.T. (Greatest Rapper Of All Time for those who aren't used to the use of acronyms)

Now, I don't agree that Jay-Z has bought nothing new to hip hop, but each to their own.

The interesting part to this saga is that apparently "SouljaBoy" posted up some comments underneath this video pretty soon after it was posted up. Then he decided to take them down. What were they? Well....

Hmmm. This isn't the first time Soulja Boy (if it was actually him) has slated an established hip hop act. Let us not forget the Ice-T debacle from last year. *sigh, shake head*

Anyway, just for you lucky people, here's a treat from the vaults - one of the Souls Of Mischief demos that never made it onto 93 Til Infinity, mainly due to sample clearance issues.
Note: compare this with ANYTHING that Soulja Boy has ever done in his life.
....I rest my case.

Cabfare (version 1)
Download

Cabfare (version 2)

	Souls of Mischief - Cab Fare .mp3

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

It's Christmas!

2009-12-25T03:27:00.000-08:00

Beat Street

My Favourite Christmas Record Ever

Another Run DMC Christmas Track

Smokey Robinson - a GOD amongst men

MARVIN!

MARVIN!

JB. Rest In Peace Soul Brother.

SO OPEN YOUR EYES, LEND US AN EAR, WE'D LIKE TO SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy Christmas

2009-12-24T12:10:00.000-08:00

Here's something to give you festive cheer. Big up to Smiff at UKHH for the link.

Happy Christmas.

How To (re)Make Smack My B1tch Up by The Prodigy

2009-12-22T12:21:00.000-08:00

Wow. I don't know who this dude is, but he has NAILED this. Apart from a couple of tweaks he put in himself, and the singing at the end. Before you check out the remake, here's the OG Prodigy version to jog your memory of the intricacies of the track.

And NOW..... *drumroll*

Here's the remade version by Jim Pavloff.

WHOAH. That is some MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD shit. Damn!

Check out Jim's (Dmitry's) myspace here.

Black Sheep Christmas Party

2009-12-22T05:04:00.000-08:00

Further to my last post on BlackSheep, a DOPE shop in Ipswich where I occasionally hang out and bother whoever's working, I got a thing in my inbox a couple of days back but cos I don't check myspace regularly I only just got it. Anyway, thought I'd give em a bit of promo, it's a great shop and they're good to me in there.

It’s the BLACKSHEEP XMAS PARTY, and you’re invited!
With special guest DJs:
JON KENNEDY(Organik Recordings, Bristol)
Ben Marr (Ipi Massive)
Pfunk (FPT Crew, Hungary)
playing the best in funk, hiphop and original grooves!
Sunday 27th December
6–10 PM
PJ McGintys
Free!
Come early!
Festive Nibbles!
Blacksheep X-mas Raffle!
Please ask in shop for details or email us at: info@WeAreBlacksheep.net
Ipswich, 3 St Stephens Lane, IP1 1DP, +44 (0)1473 219833

POW! Get yourselves down there, you heard the man.

Classic Blaxploitation 1 - Blacula

2009-12-18T05:22:00.000-08:00

This is the first in an occasional series of write-ups about classic Blaxploitation movies. I used to write for a 70s and 80s website a couple of years back, and these are reviews that got posted up there. They're great websites, by the way, you can find them here and here.

Anyway, here's classic Blaxploitation movie number 1: BLACULA.

PLOT

Transylvania, 1780.
African Prince Mamuwalde (William Marshall) and his wife Luva (pronounced 'Loo-Vah', played by Vonetta McGee) are visiting Count Dracula (Charles McCauley) in his castle. After a pleasant evening, they propose that Dracula adds his support to their campaign to stop the slave trade. Dracula refuses - the slave trade has "merit", apparently - and this disagreement turns into a heated exchange that ends with Mamuwalde pinned down by Dracula's servants.

Dracula bites Mamuwalde, then takes him down to one of his basements. Here, he puts him in a coffin, and announces that he is now a vampire: "I will curse you with my name... You shall be - Blacula!" Then he locks Mamuwalde in the coffin, and outlines his fiendish plan to lock Luva in the basement to starve to death, while her husband can only listen while she dies. He goes back upstairs with his servants, and - sure enough - they lock Luva in with Mamuwalde (in his coffin) to die.

Transylvania, Present Day (well, 1972)
Bobby McCoy (Ted Harris) and Billy Schaffer (Rick Metzler), two of the campest men to ever grace the earth with their presence, are antique dealers. They are negotiating with an agent to buy all of the furniture from Dracula's castle (he's long dead by this time). They sign the contract to take EVERYTHING, and then discover the 'secret' basement where Mamuwalde and Luva were locked in, almost two centuries ago. They take the coffin, not worrying about opening it... they just want to use it as a guest bed ("It's SO camp, darling..." - a camp bed, possibly?)

Los Angeles, still 1972
Bobby and Billy check their new acquisitions in their warehouse, and while they do so Bobby decides to open the coffin to see what's in it. Although he breaks the lock, before he opens the coffin properly Billy manages to cut himself quite badly while doing something else a few feet away. Bobby goes over to try and stop the bleeding, and they're both so caught up in the drama of it all that they don't notice the coffin creak open... and Mamuwalde make his way out... and over to them.

He attacks Billy first, sucking the blood from his arm, and then kills Bobby before draining him too. Then he puts on a cape (which seems to come from somewhere below the screen) and lowers himself back into the coffin, chuckling menacingly to himself.

At Bobby's funeral, Mamuwalde is lurking behind a curtain (he later explains his presence there by saying that he was taking care of "a little business" of his own). He sees Bobby's hand move, even though Bobby is supposed to be "dead". Bobby's friend Tina and her sister Michelle (Denise Nicholas) are there - Tina (also played by Vonetta McGee) pulls back her hood and she is identical to Luva! (This resemblence is not lost on Mamuwalde.) Also present is Michelle's friend and work colleague (and possibly her lover) Dr Gordon Thomas (played by Thalmus Rasulala), who is examining Bobby's body. The Funeral Director / Mortician tells Dr Thomas that Bobby seemed to die from a 'rat bite' to the neck. The director hasn't emabalmed him yet. Dr Thomas notes that Bobby has no blood in his body.

Tina is walking home, when she suddenly gets the sensation of being followed. She starts to run from the person / thing behind her, only to round a corner and run into Mamuwalde, who thinks she's Luva. Now quite seriously scared, Tina runs away again and while running drops her purse. Mamuwalde stops and picks it up, only to be hit by a cab as he walks across the road. The driver (Ketty Lester) gets out and helps Mamuwalde up, only to be attacked when Mamuwalde realises that because she hit him, he's lost Tina.

Tina gets home, uses her spare key to get in, and double locks the door - suddenly someone starts banging on it. It's only Michelle though. Tina tells her what happened. Meanwhile, Mamuwalde makes his way back to the warehouse, and his coffin. He still has Tina's purse.

Dr Thomas is investigating is investigating the mysterious 'blood loss' cases that he has seen. He examines the body of Juanita Jones (the taxi driver) and notices that she has two small puncture wounds in her neck... and has lost all of the blood in her body... Hmmmm. Could this be the work of a vampire?

The good Doctor refers to the fact that there may be a connection between the deaths of Bobby, Billy and Juanita to his friend Lieutenant Peters (Gordon Pinsent). There is a delay in the investigation, though - Bobby and Billy's files have gone missing, and Dr Thomas can't examine Bobby's body again because the family are viewing it until 8pm. Dr Thomas decides to go out again as he had planned to - after all, it's Michelle's birthday.

When Tina and Michelle and Dr Thomas are out at a club, Mamuwalde walks in. He finds Tina and gives her the purse back, explaining that he meant her no harm. She invites him to sit with them, feeling strangely drawn to him. Could she have met him before, somehow? Meanwhile, Dr Thomas gets a phone call - Bobby's body has gone missing...

FILM

This appears to be simply a black version of Dracula, to begin with, but don't be fooled - that is not the case. Although it features the standard vampire iconography (bats, capes, fangs, blood, coffins...), it transforms into something more than a mere carbon copy of Bram Stoker's novel. The sociological idea of slavery is introduced, something mentioned explicitly in the fine opening sequence, and explored later on a more implicit level. (Mamuwalde 'enslaves' his victims, and as Mikel J Koven points out in his patronising, simple and childish book 'The Pocket Essential Blaxploitation Films', Mamuwalde also acts as a link from the present to the past, literally acting as "living history for contemporary blacks".)

On a visual level, the film has some intriguing ideas. It echoes the Universal horrors of the 30s and 40s, but with slightly more graphic ideas (similar to the UK-made Hammer films of the 50s and 60s). The opening title sequence is excellent, almost like a cartoon vampire version of Pac-Man. The sequences where Mamuwalde attacks are initially almost comical, but quickly change to effective when he bites down on his victims. At times, Mamuwalde looks almost like a werewolf, with his excessive facial hair, but William Marshall's performance sugars this particular pill so that it isn't as distracting as it might have been.

The soundstrack is excellent, an unjustly forgotten gem that deserves to be reissued on a wide scale - a very effective opening theme, and Gene Page's incidental music fits the film perfectly... and has been sampled on several occasions by hip hop producers.

The casting of Vonetta McGee in both the role of Luva and the role of Tina is clever, again predating the casting of Winona Ryder in a dual role in Coppola's Dracula film by a good 18 years. Thalmus Rasulala as Dr Thomas is not too bad, but unlike other Van Helsing characters on Dracula films he isn't given a great deal to do other than act churlishly towards other characters.

The film was awarded the 'Best Horror Film Of 1972' by the Academy of Horror Films and Science Fiction Films. Apparently the trailer for the film was so popular amongst black audiences (seeing a black horror film for the first time) that according to William Marshall, people would go to the cinemas specifically just to see the trailer (much like audiences have done in recent years for the new Star Wars films).

The image used to market Blacula was not one that William Marshall remembered posing for (although it does exist) - he claimed it was doctored by the studio for promotional purposes. Marshall did not want the "sensationalised image of black on white lust" that the studio eventually plumped for, and Mamuwalde never bites a white victim in the film at all.

Mamuwalde's original name in the script was 'Andrew Brown', which is the same name as Andy in 'Amos And Andy'. The name was changed at William Marshall's insistence, and the idea that Mamuwalde was an African Prince was also suggested by Marshall. "I suggested an African hero who had never been subjected to slavery," he said in an interview for the book 'What It Is, What It Was', "an African Prince travelling to Europe with his beloved wife, to persuade his 'brother' Eurpoean aristocrats to oppose the African slave trade."

Although William Marshall was primarily well-known as a distinguished stage actor (and as the King Of Cartoons on Pee-Wee's Playhouse in the 80s), he said in a late 1990s interview "I daresay the vast majority of people don't go to the theatre, so I don't mind that I'm still so strongly identified with Blacula. I did enjoy Blacula to a great extent. Early on, young black people who didn't know my name would yell at me on the street 'Mamuwalde... hey, Mamuwalde!" It was especially pleasing that I was being called by the African name I gave the character. I asked one young fan 'Who do you think I am?' He said, quoting from the nightclub scene, 'you know, you're the Strange Dude!'"

Overall, this is a good film, although you might find it amateurish the first time you see it (especially the green masks for the vampires at the beginning), but on second watching and beyond it gets better. Despite lapses into cheese, highly recommended.

4 POWS out of 5

Rage Against The Machine

2009-12-17T11:18:00.000-08:00

Rage Against The Machine are dope as fuck. Their first album is amazing.

Anyway, everyone's caught up in the hype of whether or not Rage will beat Joe McfuckinElderry to number 1 in the UK this year. I think it'd be funny if they did. But I digress.

Big up to Jones Family member Ben Askew for putting me on to this via facebook - skip forward to about 9 minutes. Then wait for the inevitable. Then listen carefully to about 9.13. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

By the way, in case you missed it, it's FUNNY. People taking it too seriously really need to grow up.

Sample youtube comment:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aardvarked88:
YEAH MAN FUCK THE SYSTEM LET'S SWEAR LIVE ON NATIONAL RADIO!

What are you, 6? Get the fuck over it. Tryhards like yourself and the rest of the idiots buying into this Anti X-Factor campaign make me ashamed to be a Rage fan, you're just as much of a sheep than the people who go out and buy the X-Factor single every year, shameful.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SlammerUK:
HAHAHA! Funny as fuck. You kids today are fucking clueless sheep tbh. Go buy your shitty singles, pay to vote for some shitty insignificant show and then best of all have a pissy rant on YouTube about how those over 30 are all "fakers" whatever the fuck that means. None of you smacktards obvisouly LISTENED to the interview before hand or took one ounce of what they were saying in.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aardvarked88:
What's gay about it?

They allowed Rage to come onto their show and say what they wanted and then they went and swore pre-watershed after they explicitly asked them not to. Maybe in your pre-pubescent little world that might be hilarious but in the real world that's pretty fucking low.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA

This shit is priceless. I wasn't going to get involved, but yeah.... the hell with it. Go and buy Killing In The Name Of. It's currently at number 1 in iTunes. It'll be a laugh, anyway.

UPDATE 1:
I just re-registered with iTunes after my card got rejected over the summer, and bought Killing In The Name. HAHAHA. Fuck McElderry and the X Factor.

UPDATE 2:

Finally, Exhibit C is here.

2009-12-17T09:04:00.000-08:00

Wow, it's been a LONG time coming!

You may remember me raving about this a few weeks back, it finally came out today. Amazing stuff.

JAY ELECTRONICA / JUST BLAZE - "Exhibit C" (final version)

Complete Lyrics:

When I was sleeping on the train
Sleeping on Meserole Ave out in the rain
Without even a single slice of pizza to my name
Too proud to beg for change mastering the pain
When New York niggas was calling Southern rappers lame
But then jackin our slang
I used to get dizzy spells, hear a little ring
The voice of a angel telling me my name
Telling me that one day I'mma be a great man
Transforming with the MegatronDon spittin out flames
Eatin wack rappers alive, shittin out chains
I ain't believe it then, nigga I was homeless
Fightin, shootin dice, smoking weed on the corners
Tryna find the meaning of life in a corona
Till the 5 percenters rolled up on a nigga and informed him.
- "You either build or destroy, where you come from?"
- "The Magnolia projects in the 3rd ward slum"
- "Hmm, its quite amazing that you rhyme how you do
And that you shine like you grew up in a shrine in Peru."

Question 14 Muslim lesson 2
Dip diver, civilize a 85er
I make the devil hit his knees and say the Our Father
Abracadabra! You rockin with the true and living
Shout out to Light Out, Joseph I, Chewy Bivens,
Shout out to Baltimore, Baton Rouge, my crew in Richmond
While y'all debated who the truth was like Jews and Christians
I was on Cecil B, Broad St, Master,
North Philly, South Philly, 23rd, Tasker
6 Mile, 7 Mile, Hartwell, Gratiot
Where niggas really would pack a U-Haul truck up
Put the high beams on drive up on the curb at a barbeque and hop up out the back like "What's up?"
Kill a nigga, rob a nigga, take a nigga, buss up
Thats why when you talk that tough talk I never feel ya
You sound real good and you play the part well but the energy you givin off is so unfamiliar
I dont feel ya.
(We need something realer!)

Nas hit me up on the phone said "What you waitin on"
Tip hit me up with a twitt said "What you waitin on"
Diddy sent me texts every hour on the dot sayin "When you gon drop that verse nigga, you takin long"
So now I'm back spittin that He-could-pass-a-polygraph
That Reverend-Run-rockin-Adidas-out-on-Hollis-Ave
That F.O.I.-Marcus-Garvey-Nikki-Tesla
I shock you like a eel, Electric Feel, Jay Electra.

They call me Jay Electronica
Fuck that, call me Jay Elec-Hannukah
Jay Elec-Yarmulke
Jay Elect-Ramadan Muhammad Asalaam-ica, RasoulAllah Supana Wataallah through your monitor
My Uzi still weigh a ton, check the barometer
I'm hotter than the mothafuckin sun, check the thermometer
I'm bringing ancient mathematics back to modern man
My momma told me "never throw a stone and hide your hand"
I got a lot of family, you got a lot of fans
That's why the people got my back like the Verizon man
I play the back and fade to black and then devise a plan
Out in London, smoking, vibin while I ride the tram
Givin out that raw food to lions disguised as lambs
And... by the time they get they seats hot
And deploy all their henchmen to come at me from the treetops
I'm chilling out at 3-Stop, building by the millions
...My light is brilliant.

God-DAAAAAMN!

Just Blaze absolutely kills it. I could have sworn it was a Dilla beat. Jay Electronica absolutely SMASHES this.

POW

Cop it from iTunes, it's out NOW. There's a big push to get this SOLD rather than downloaded for free, so do the right thing and pay for it. It's not often that you get a chance to genuinely support an artist by helping them blow up, so take the time to pay!

Here's Just Blaze's take on it (from Twitter):

"Hey guys. I'm not 1 2 knock anyones hustle. But ths 1 time I do ask respectfully if ppl cn take dn the links 2 exhibit c. My stuff has bn posted before & I nevr say anything (unless it's an unfinished version, that drives me crazy lol). But I think we cn all agree that ths record is pretty special. It's not even abt the $$ so much, Im not making a ton of $ on ths, it's just abt allowing a gr8 indie record 2 get a real shot (and mayB picked up by a major distributor) & supporting the artists who put their hard work in2 ths. Do I expect ths 2 sell a million copies? No. But on the same token, most ppl who R gonna grab it (legit or non legit) R gonna do it the 1st day or 2 & then it'll trickle dn from thr. Just how it goes. So it's not even abt 1st week numbers w/ ths 1, It's more abt the 1st day or 2. Hopefully it does cont 2 grow organically as it as, despite the high number of downloads I'm alrdy seeing. Anyhow, anyone who did buy it thank U from the bottom of my heart, & anyone who dnt, I hope U do. It's only a buck! :) Album coming soon! Kinda... I hope. (Dear moleskine anyone?)"

RESPECT THE ARTIST!

Some funny stuff

2009-12-15T22:17:00.000-08:00

MASSIVE props to Paulo for putting me onto this one.

Truth back on the battle scene. WHOAH.

2009-12-10T11:02:00.000-08:00

Truth absolutely RIPPING IT at "Don't Flop", Brighton. Serious. I know he's my boy and all that, and he definitely gets the Jones Family backing, but he absolutely murders the other fella. Don't trust me, check it for yourself.

Remember to leave a comment on the youtube page.

Biggup to Eurgh for hosting and hooking the night up to start with.

POW. Eat that. Truth = win.

Millionaires By Morning

2009-12-06T11:54:00.000-08:00

Truthio (extended Stupid Fresh Radio fam) is in a band. Here at Jones HQ we're well into our nepotism, so I'm bigging it up on this here blog. Mwahahahahaaaaaa.

Truth's band is called Millionaires By Morning. The other members are DJ Shumzs (another member of the extended Stupid Fresh Radio fam), Carnell Cook (singing and that), Gilead Walters (drummer), Wes Holdsworth (guitar), Duncan Stewart (bass), and Sam Holdsworth (keybooooooooooooooard).

They did a gig a week or so ago at The Blue Room in McGintys (Ipswich).

Here's film of one of their tracks: Pass That.

POW POW POW

My Christmas Mixtape - Free Download!

2009-12-04T12:47:00.001-08:00

Well, I put this together last year as a limited edition CD thing, and although I've been hassled to do a follow up, I think I'll wait til next year instead of rushing it.
So here's the original:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS

It's hosted by Sir Smurf Lil, Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, the cast of Family Guy, Ashley Banks, Will Smith and Uncle Phil.

Don't be put off by the Christmas theme - it's made up of the best Christmas tracks in the history of old school hip hop, soul, funk, reggae, calypso, dub, R+B and gangsta rap. And there's a bit of Paul McCartney dropped in as well.

Holla if you want a tracklist.

POW!

Hip Hop High School

2009-12-03T04:43:00.001-08:00

Well, still not feeling great. But I found these pics courtesy of DJ Vlad (you know, the fella who did the Rap Phenomenon mix CDs with DJ Dirty Harry). If you like the look of these, check out his blog, there's Biggie, Nelly, Puff, Andre 3000 and loads more (over 30 at last count).

(Remember, some of em might seem geeky, but we were pretty much ALL forced into putting our best on and grinning for mum's mantelpiece of her "little darling", so let's not criticise.)

SNOOP

EMINEM

BIG L

JAY-Z

50 CENT

Seriously, check out DJ Vlad's blog - LOADS of dope stuff on there.

POW. I'm off back to bed. See if I can shake off this bloody hot and cold feeling.

Expensive Taste.

2009-12-02T12:12:00.000-08:00

Man I feel shitty today. Didn't go to work, been hot and cold and shivery, headache, just feel generally shitty and run-down. This does not bode well. So I've spent the entire day lying down, on the sofa and upstairs in bed. Shitty.

However, this HAS meant that I've been put onto an amazing website by Paul Wall (legend) via his twitter. It's by a company called "Expensive Taste", who do design and stuff. Their website is here. Check it out. It's genuinely impressive stuff.

Here's some of their designs.

RIP DJ AM

Chino XL

Caps

T-Shirt

Dope poster

and check THIS out... Armoured Car getting graffed up. POW.

Man, I need to get some more sleep. I'm shattered.

DJ Ready Red + Chuck D

2009-11-24T22:59:00.001-08:00

So, over at Hip Hop Gods they've got an interview with Prophet-Of-Rage Chuck D and ex-Geto-Boy / All-Round-Great-Dude DJ Ready Red.

Enjoy.

POW

Exhibit A

2009-11-21T04:34:00.000-08:00

Version 1

Version 2

I'm preferring the samples in the first version, but the fade-out of the second version is dope as hell.

LYRICS:

I spit that wonder rhymer shit, me and my conglomerates
shall remain anonymous, caught up in the finer shit
Get that type of media coverage Obama get, spit that Kurt Vonnegut
That blow your brain, Kurt Cobain, that Nirvana shit
Who gon' bring the game back? Who gon' spit that Ramo on the train tracks?
That gold rope, that 5 finger ring rap?
Runnin with my same pack, you can find the Christ where the lepers and the lames at
Life is like a dice game
One roll can land you in jail or cuttin’ cake, blowin kisses in the rice rain
Nice whip, nice chain, a closet of skulls
the stench is like slave blood in Providence Hall
Yeah, they built my city on top of a grave
nigga die, nigga get high and watch the parade
Back then the early 90’s "Where they at, where they at, get the gat, get the gat" was a popular phrase
Bally animals and rugbys was a popular craze
This the vivid memoirs of a obnoxious slave
I pave ways like Nat and Harriet
I blast on Judas Iscariot
and peel off in a chariot
I'm sittin pretty spittin flames, grippin grains
ain’t a damn thing changed

They say "Candyman, Candyman spit me a dream"
blow a chunk of the levy out and spit me a stream
knock a man house down and build a casin’
a two thousand dollar government check from FEM'
I swam down shits creek and came up clean
with a new lease on life like Andy Dufresne
It's the most poetical, Nat King Unforgettable
Clarence 13X Allah's rhapsody from Bellevue
I'm splittin atoms, spittin flames, bringin change
things’ll never be the same
I got the rap game singin "At Last" like Etta James
Lames get they plane shot down like John Mccain
It’s a dream, it’s a dream
the flow's elegant like Miss Coretta Scott King
A lotta Kings seen death and turned Queen
crack they 24 inch rims in the ravine
respect the architect, never test the Elohim
Good night, this is Jay Elect live from New Orleans

DOPE.