Hip Hop 289 Items

Compilation featuring Agallah, Jukstapose, Jojo Pellegrino, Chaundon, Sadat X, Craig G, Sean Price, Realio Sparkzwell, Baby Blak, Fresh Daily, Phil Da Agony, Torae, Eternia, Reks, Murdoc, Emilio Lopez, Mac Lethal, Esoteric, Termanology, Punchline, King DOM, David Corey, Blacastan, C Rayz Walz, AG, Big Noyd, El Da Sensei, Emilio Rojas

BigM Productions is back full force!

Immer wieder nachgefragt, jetzt wieder da, JA!

The sixth album from legendary hip-hop group Souls of Mischief, There Is Only Now, is a unique cinematic 90s crime tale of love, loss, and revenge. A conceptual collaboration with producer Adrian Younge and the first release on his freshly launched Linear Labs Records label. This ambitious full-length offering will be available in July. There Is Only Now sees the Souls of Mischief crew members trading bars with a cast of hip-hop and soul luminaries. This, the first single from the project, will hit in June with Snoop Dogg and the title track “There Is Only Now” on the A-Side. The 7” vinyl is housed in a deluxe, die cut sleeve emblazoned with the Linear Labs and Souls of Mischief logos tucked into a full color jacket. This is your first taste from a full-length destined to be among the best albums to be released in 2014. Souls of Mischief and Adrian Younge have created a hip-hop album like no other. The result of a special moment for all involved, There Is Only Now proves that after two decades in the rap game hip-hop’s Fab Four remains committed to the expansion of their legacy as hip-hop innovators and pioneers.

Team Dreebs Vol.1 - Cloud 9, Concept of Thought, Benaddict, M. Kozi, Mr Slipz, Tonks and more…

This banger features none other than Action Bronson. Meyhem and Action have been partners in crime for some time as the East Coast Underground team known as the Outdoorsmen, and on here they run the voodoo down with a granite rock beat from Multi-Platinum producer of D.I.T.C. fame, Buckwild.

Only 500 of these collector’s items will be made (each pressed on colored wax & housed in a one-of-a-kind silkscreened sleeve). #6 features exclusive & unreleased tracks by J.Rocc and Kutmah and is pressed on opaque gray vinyl.

LP number three. The Baxter wave shows no signs of slowing anytime soon!

Cakedog is Leland Jackson aka Ahnnu. Leaving Records writes, "Inspired by the Battle Groundz in Chicago, Menace in the Phantom is an authentic footwork tape of 14 cypher trax. RIP DJ RASHAD."

Limited edition for Record Store Day 2014

2013 is officially under way, and we're celebrating with this limited-edition 7" featuring three artists who'll be releasing some of the most highly anticipated Nature Soundsprojects this year.

Limited edition for Record Store Day 2013

Only 1 per cutomer!

Trusted with a culture kept under the concrete, the warning has been spread for years. Many assumed their operations were limited to underground societies or secret networks. But, The Black Opera have been among us all along. The time to hide is behind them. There will be no riot; the revolution has already taken place. The Great Year has come.

The newest movement from The Black Opera is truth. After the telling of the three part epic, The Black Op: Era I, TBO has returned without allegory or allusion. The Great Year is a modern story of emergence and art- a resistance to assimilation. It is a story of triumph and camaraderie and a renaissance of new thinking.

The new album’s influences musically are as diverse as they are aesthetically. From tribal rhythms to overdriven synths and from pulsing drums to intimate vocals, The Great Year’s sound is distinctly its own. Taking on a modern day palette, TBO has envisioned a new world, musically. With orchestration from creative minds like Tall Black Guy, Waajeed, yU and Arjun Singh, The Black Opera have assembled a team to help them communicate their message to the world.

Box set incl. bonus cd, t-shirt (size L), poster & sticker!

The second single from the Gutter Snypes. Cel One has been hidden away at a secret training camp. And now he returns to deliver a mighty "Sucker Punch". Flipped with "Jillian", the seedy story of one very high class hooker!

Rare, super limited 002 from SATURATE! Records 7’’ single series, featuring the now legendary Coco Bryce with some wonky, honey dripping beats. Head bob neck snaps.

Limited edition for the Cassette Store Day 2014!

Over the last two decades, 20syl has crafted a unique, hip-hop infused, electro musical universe. He inherited a rich musical knowledge and a genuine understanding of analog and vintage sounds form years of classic beat making. He first got his start with Hocus Pocus, a band he founded in 1995. As the mastermind behind the band’s five LPs, including their Gold Record Place 54, 20syl has proved himself to be a visionary artist. A member of C2C - a turntablist quartet with whom he has won 4 DMC world titles – he took the genre mainstream with the groundbreaking album Tetra (2012). This successful opus was rewarded with 4 French Grammys and a Double Platinium Record.

In 2014, 20syl launched his solo career while still working with a few hand picked underground artists such as Grems, Raashan Ahmad and Blitz the Ambassador. In the recent years the prolific producer has taken his trademark overseas with popular remixes of ScHoolboy Q, Rihanna, and King Krule – setting up a booming environment for the 2014 release of his anticipated first solo EP, Motifs.

Co-founder of On And On Records, 20Syl has imposed himself as a flagship of the expanding new scene. Passionate about visual arts, 20Syl designs his artwork and direct his music videos.

A free electron, he seduces the public with his sharp identity and his ability to turn his own original creations into major musical trends.

Cormega teams up with Raekwon on a Large Professor beat, the instrumental is on the B as well. Limited edition of 500 copies on red transparent vinyl!

Get On Down keeps kickin’ it old school with the latest installment in the Get On Down 7” series, IOU’s “Chill Out”. As with other offerings in the series, this one was originally released as a 12” and has never before been available on a “doughnut”. First issued on Peter Brown’s Georgia Peach imprint even the most rabid
collector’s and Mr. Brown aren’t certain of the exact year of release. But the thick layers of electro funk and vocoder has the educated ear landing this between ‘82 & ‘84. In fact, this cut may have the most vocoder per minute of any cut in recorded music history. Which only reinforces its status as an electro classic and gives you good reason to Get On Down and pick up this destine tom be collectible reissue.

Everyone's favorite Punani connaisseurs are back with yet another deeply emotive and well-produced album. Tip!

Soundsci returns with two new remixes off their "Soundsational" album on a limited 7in single!

New material from Detroit's Guilty Simpson on production from Russia's Musca!

Issued in a 6 panel digipak.

Ill Adrenaline Records and Soul Tools Entertainment proudly present a new collaborative project by top-notch producer Confidence (of Rashad/Purpose & Confidence fame) and Detroit hip-hop duo The Regiment!

In an age of slammin’ superhero crossovers, get ready for a Hip-Hop team-up to beat them all: Slimkid3 & DJ Nu-Mark! With the Delicious Vinyl release of their album-length eponymous collaboration, the legendary Pharcyde MC and Jurassic 5 DJ/producer have created a soulful Hip-Hop soundtrack for the ages. Ever since his time as a founding member of The Pharcyde, Slimkid3 has stood out for his relationship raps, both warm-hearted and coolly observant. As an innovative member Jurassic 5, DJ Nu-Mark has long propelled golden era sounds into the future.

"Ding ding! True school is in session!" trumpeted okayplayer.com when Tre & Nu-Mark released their freebie EP Another Day, Another Dollar in 2011. The duo knew they were onto something good, and re-upped to create new music. The new album's standout tracks include, "King" featuring Diamond D, "I Know, Didn't I" a savvy flip of Dorando's soul classic, and presented here the reggae-fueled summer jam "Bom Bom Fiya”, with "Bouillon", featuring Del and Murs.

Stix Records rounds up all recent Mato’s 7inches anthems into this extended player, with all the cuts remastered for the occasion ... this collection
also includes four unreleased hits: “Gangsta Lovin’” by Eve, “La Saga”
by IAM, “Whateva Man” by Redman and “Off The Books” by The Beatnuts.

Beat Soup V3 is a two-part 61-minute mix by the legendary RAS G made exclusively for HIT+RUN. Take a glance inside the artist's mind during the magic era between his classic Brainfeeder debut release 'Brotha From Anotha Planet" (2009) and his banging Leaving Records debut "El Alyien - Pt. 1`" (2010). Features original RAS G tracks, as well as songs & snippets by CO.FEE, Samiyam, Dibia$e, Madlib/dilla, Ghostface Killah / Theodore Unit, Jonwayne, Flying Lotus, Gaslamp Killer, Frank Zappa, Young Black Preachers, ODD Future, Hudson Mohawke, GB, Funkineven, Fatima, DAM Funk, Prefuse 73, THE Nonce, Teebs, SUN RA & many more. Shout out to Lord Lanique Shabazz AKA Black SUN GOD THE EMPEROR...JR.

Black Jungle Squad Rapper & California native Oliver the 2nd's debut solo EP "The Kill Off", out on cassette!

El-P and Killer Mike are Run The Jewels. The duo’s self- titled, collaborative record – a contender for hip-hop album of the year – will be released throughout Europe in December via Big Dada.

Woof, woof, the original OFWGKTA Wolf is back!

Undun is the tenth studio album by The Roots, released on December 6, 2011. It is a concept album that tells the tragic, reverse-chronological story of a fictional character named Redford Stephens, a young man who becomes involved in a life of crime and meets an untimely death. The album explores the themes of fate, choice, and the socio-economic pressures that lead individuals into cycles of poverty, crime, and existential struggle.

Undun is told in reverse order, beginning with Redford’s death and slowly moving back through the key moments of his life that led to his demise. This structure provides a reflective, somber narrative, examining the forces that shaped his decisions and eventual downfall.
The album’s narrative structure emphasizes the sense of inevitability and regret, making it a powerful meditation on the fragility of life and the consequences of choices.
The character of Redford Stephens was inspired by a piece of music by composer Sufjan Stevens, titled "Redford (For Yia-Yia and Pappou)." This instrumental track is reinterpreted and appears toward the end of the album, underscoring its emotional weight.

Musically, Undun is a mix of hip-hop, neo-soul, orchestral elements, and art rock. The production is lush yet sparse, with haunting melodies, complex arrangements, and The Roots' trademark live instrumentation.
Questlove’s drumming and Black Thought’s lyricism are central to the album, with the music often using minimalist beats and atmospheric soundscapes to complement the lyrical themes of existential despair and reflection.
The album also features moments of instrumental interludes, which add to the cinematic and conceptual feel of the project.

Key Tracks and Highlights:
"Sleep" – The album’s opening track (which depicts the final moment of Redford’s life) is introspective and haunting. Black Thought raps about the moments before death, with lyrics like "I’ve lost a lot of sleep to dreams" capturing the sense of hopelessness and inevitability.
"Make My" (featuring Big K.R.I.T.) – This single features a melancholic beat and lyrics that delve into regret and introspection, with Big K.R.I.T.'s verse complementing Black Thought’s meditations on life and death.
"One Time" (featuring Phonte and Dice Raw) – A standout track that focuses on the idea of seizing moments and making choices, set to a gritty, understated beat. Black Thought and guest rapper Phonte trade verses, exploring themes of existential crisis and fleeting opportunities.
"Kool On" (featuring Greg Porn and Truck North) – One of the lighter, more groove-driven tracks on the album, yet still reflective, with lyrics addressing Redford’s attempts to navigate the temptations and pressures of street life.
"The Otherside" – A soul-stirring track that looks at the crossroads between life and death, with deeply philosophical lyrics. Black Thought’s introspective verse, combined with Dice Raw’s somber chorus, reflects the haunting struggle between moral choices and survival.
"Tip the Scale" – A reflection on the difficulty of breaking free from the cyclical patterns of poverty and crime, with Black Thought delivering some of the most emotionally raw and philosophical verses on the album.
"Redford" (the instrumental suite) – A moving four-part instrumental conclusion, drawing from Sufjan Stevens' original composition. This suite, made up of piano, strings, and drums, evokes the emotional depth of Redford’s life and his ultimate fate.

Existentialism and Free Will: The album continually questions the role of fate versus choice. Redford’s life is portrayed as a series of decisions that, while influenced by his environment, ultimately lead to his downfall, raising questions about whether he had any real control over his fate.
Social Injustice and Poverty: Many of the lyrics explore how systemic injustice, poverty, and lack of opportunity can push individuals into lives of crime. The album highlights the harsh realities faced by young Black men in America, grappling with the intersections of race, class, and violence.
Regret and Reflection: Much of the album has a reflective, mournful tone as Black Thought and other guest vocalists deliver verses that look back at life’s moments, filled with what-ifs and regrets, exploring the loss of potential and the weight of past decisions.
Production and Collaborations:
The album is largely produced by The Roots themselves, with Questlove overseeing much of the production. The minimalist yet atmospheric production style mirrors the album’s darker themes, with an emphasis on live instruments.
Undun includes collaborations with Big K.R.I.T., Phonte, Dice Raw, Truck North, and Greg Porn, all of whom contribute to the narrative through their verses and vocal contributions.

Undun received widespread critical acclaim for its ambitious concept, narrative depth, and emotional resonance. Critics praised the album for its cohesive storytelling, complex themes, and innovative production.
Many hailed it as one of The Roots' best albums, with its conceptual depth and musical sophistication setting it apart from conventional hip-hop albums.
The album was noted for its maturity and introspective tone, marking a departure from The Roots’ earlier, more outwardly political works, and instead focusing on the internal struggles of the individual within a broken system.

Undun is often regarded as one of the best concept albums in hip-hop, comparable to works like Kendrick Lamar’s good kid, m.A.A.d city for its narrative depth and thematic richness.
The album’s reverse chronology and philosophical musings influenced other artists looking to explore more experimental and narrative-driven albums.
Undun reinforced The Roots' reputation as one of the most innovative and thoughtful acts in hip-hop, further blurring the lines between rap, live instrumentation, and high-concept artistry.

Undun is a deeply reflective and philosophical album, focusing on the life and fate of a character caught between the societal pressures and personal choices that ultimately lead to his demise. With its reverse storytelling, live instrumentation, and poignant lyricism, the album stands as one of The Roots’ most emotionally complex and musically innovative works. It challenges listeners to think deeply about the forces that shape lives and the fine line between survival and destruction.