Rhymesayers HHV Records 192 Items

Gregory Keltgen (aka DJ Abilities) gravitated toward the turntables at a young age, becoming a DJ at only 17, before going on to compete in the legendary DMC DJ competitions only 2 years later in 1999. He won the regional title and advanced to the U.S. finals that year, before doing it again in 2001. Soon after, Abilities was also garnering attention for performing all the scratches on indie classic, Fantastic Damage, the debut album by El-P of Run The Jewels' fame, as well as contributing his turntable talents and production skills to other Hip-Hop cult favorites like The Anti-Album by Semi.Official, and The Taste of Rain... Why Kneel? by Deep Puddle Dynamics. But above all, his name would become most celebrated throughout the 2000's as one-half of the dynamic Hip-Hop duo Eyedea & Abilities. DJ Abilities had first met Micheal "Eyedea" Larsen in the mid-90's, and the two soon began a working relationship that would eventually play a prominent role in the burgeoning Indie-Rap movement of the time. Together, the pair developed a near symbiotic creative union that produced three albums _ First Born; E&A; and By The Throat _ a catalog animated by the burning fusion of Eyedea's introspective and technically adept rhymes with Abilities' precise scratches and versatile production. Tragically, his partner Eyedea passed away in 2010 leaving Abilities to soldier on by himself, but the influence of their partnership continues to shape DJ Abilities' music to this day. His latest project, Phonograph Phoenix, finds the DJ/Producer returning to the forefront and embracing an entirely new approach to making music. A departure from previous work that was primarily sample-based, Phonograph Phoenix finds Abilities opting to build the album's compositions from the ground up, creating his own sound through Ableton Live and various soft synths, with razor sharp cuts and select vocal chops providing a voice where his fallen partner may have once stood. Abilities' new production techniques breathe an awakening essence into Phonograph Phoenix, whether that's in the deep, cavernous bass and funky drum loops of "Worldwide", the gorgeous atmospheric synths he conjures on "Waves", or the sinister head-nodding groove of "The Badman" with its vulnerable-but- not-self-pitying vocal samples. Throughout its creation, Abilities sought to remain as truthful as possible, ensuring that each song held qualifying meaning and that the album on a whole made a definitive statement. The process inspired Abilities to dig deep and pull up some heavy, heartfelt beats and, speaking with his hands as all great turntablists do, he used this space to address grief, loss, and his own personal shortcomings, all while making room for hope and optimism.

Gregory Keltgen (aka DJ Abilities) gravitated toward the turntables at a young age, becoming a DJ at only 17, before going on to compete in the legendary DMC DJ competitions only 2 years later in 1999. He won the regional title and advanced to the U.S. finals that year, before doing it again in 2001. Soon after, Abilities was also garnering attention for performing all the scratches on indie classic, Fantastic Damage, the debut album by El-P of Run The Jewels' fame, as well as contributing his turntable talents and production skills to other Hip-Hop cult favorites like The Anti-Album by Semi.Official, and The Taste of Rain... Why Kneel? by Deep Puddle Dynamics. But above all, his name would become most celebrated throughout the 2000's as one-half of the dynamic Hip-Hop duo Eyedea & Abilities. DJ Abilities had first met Micheal "Eyedea" Larsen in the mid-90's, and the two soon began a working relationship that would eventually play a prominent role in the burgeoning Indie-Rap movement of the time. Together, the pair developed a near symbiotic creative union that produced three albums _ First Born; E&A; and By The Throat _ a catalog animated by the burning fusion of Eyedea's introspective and technically adept rhymes with Abilities' precise scratches and versatile production. Tragically, his partner Eyedea passed away in 2010 leaving Abilities to soldier on by himself, but the influence of their partnership continues to shape DJ Abilities' music to this day. His latest project, Phonograph Phoenix, finds the DJ/Producer returning to the forefront and embracing an entirely new approach to making music. A departure from previous work that was primarily sample-based, Phonograph Phoenix finds Abilities opting to build the album's compositions from the ground up, creating his own sound through Ableton Live and various soft synths, with razor sharp cuts and select vocal chops providing a voice where his fallen partner may have once stood. Abilities' new production techniques breathe an awakening essence into Phonograph Phoenix, whether that's in the deep, cavernous bass and funky drum loops of "Worldwide", the gorgeous atmospheric synths he conjures on "Waves", or the sinister head-nodding groove of "The Badman" with its vulnerable-but- not-self-pitying vocal samples. Throughout its creation, Abilities sought to remain as truthful as possible, ensuring that each song held qualifying meaning and that the album on a whole made a definitive statement. The process inspired Abilities to dig deep and pull up some heavy, heartfelt beats and, speaking with his hands as all great turntablists do, he used this space to address grief, loss, and his own personal shortcomings, all while making room for hope and optimism.

In 2000, Aesop Rock released his first official album, Float, following his steady ascent in the underground from two previous releases, the collection of works CD of lore, Music For Earthworms (1997), and the Appleseed EP (1999). And, while every album Aesop has done since then has captured his continual evolution as both a producer and a writer, Float was undeniably exceptional in its own right. For one, there was something impacting about a full-length album, 20 tracks deep, that never had any singles. Every track only existed as part of the album experience. That in mind, the album's production is split nearly in half between Aesop Rock and longtime collaborator and good friend, Blockhead, as well as one offering from Omega One, the Reggae-vibed "Skip Town". The album's production largely seems to have one collective goal, to immediately capture the intended mood, luring the listener in and leaving them attentive and prepared for the carefully crafted accompanying lyricism. Lyrics in mind, Aesop Rock is clearly the star of the record, but the few guest appearances, strategically spread throughout the album, are either the result of great foresight or unavoidable synergyâÇ"perhaps bothâÇ"as Slug (of Atmosphere), Vast Aire (of Cannibal Ox), and Dose One were all right in the midst, or directly on the verge, of breakthrough career moments of their own around the same time they were featured on Float. As for Aesop, the album finds him diving deep into his intricate, visually descriptive and emotionally riveting writing style, which has only gotten more vigorous and diverse over time. His delivery feels settled into the hints of urgency, as if he is well aware that the journey and challenges, as well as triumphs, that he shall face are arduous and plentiful. Twenty years after its debut, Float is a time capsule of an artist on the brink of fully tapping into creative freedom, while the industry was simultaneously in the middle of a notable shift, which still remains a powerful statement on its own, decades later. To celebrate, Rhymesayers is re-releasing Float on 2xLP vinyl, available in three different, limited edition colorways!

Aesop Rock Wellness Crew Neck Sweatshirt - Features:

10oz heather gray crew neck sweatshirt.
Ring-spun cotton.
52% cotton / 48% polyester blend.
Embroidered chest and custom sewn tag on bottom left.
Additional custom sewn tag on inside neckline.
Split stitch double-needle sewing on all seams.
Twill neck tape.
1x1 ribbing at cuffs and waistband.
Generous fit.

The Atmosphere Handyman Tee is equipped with the following features:
• rib crew neck with interior tape
• Handyman artwork printed on front
• designed by Dave Quiggle
• regular fit
• 100% combed ring-spun cotton single jersey, 4.3 oz

Limited colored vinyl edition in custom tri-fold jacket including 12-page photo booklet!

The people’s voice of Venice Beach, Evidence, has returned to deliver his third solo album, “Weather or Not”. Since the Grammy Award-winning artist’s last solo release, “Cats & Dogs”, he’s delivered some remarkable group projects, including Step Brothers’ “Lord Steppington” with close ally Alchemist, and Directors of Photography with seminal supergroup Dilated Peoples. He’s also immersed himself into his studio, producing beats for a wide range of artists that includes Vince Staples, Fashawn, Roc Marciano, Madchild, Defari and more. By now, it should be clear the seasoned veteran has no plans of slowing, and no hopes of satiating his hunger.
“Weather or Not” represents the fourth and final chapter in Ev’s Weatherman series before beginning the next saga, but this chapter will be remembered as the finest. The album features an all-star lineup of guests and friends, including Slug (Atmosphere), Rakaa (Dilated Peoples), Alchemist, Styles P, Rapsody, Jonwayne, Defari, Krondon, Khrysis, Mach Hommy and Catero.
While Evidence holds his own on the boards, he’s also tapped a stellar cast of producers to share duties with, including Alchemist, DJ Premier, Nottz, DJ Babu, Twiz The Beat Pro, Sam I Yam and Budgie. As Evidence modestly suggests, quoting a MC Lyte classic, this new album is even “better than before, as if that was possible.”
LP Packaging includes a custom-built tri-fold jacket including blue colored 2LP vinyl, 12-page photo booklet containing work from famed photographer Stephen Vanasco, metallic printed pockets and free digital download card.

Initially released in 2016 as a free direct download, followed by an extremely limited vinyl pressing sold exclusively on tour, Aesop Rock and Homeboy Sandman's Lice Two: Still Buggin' is finally available to fans everywhere. The second in a series of EP releases, Lice Two: Still Buggin' featured production from Dan Hayden, Mondee, Aesop Rock, SoberMindedMusiC and Mono En Stereo. The original cover art was designed by renowned illustrator Jeremy Fish.



Both Aesop Rock and Homeboy Sandman are regarded as top tier lyricists known for pushing the envelope of creativity in their writing, while covering a wide range of topics and moods. However, sometimes things are inherently simple. Take for example, the origin of their collaboration, born from a mutual appreciation for each other as artists Which became fully realized when Aesop Rock invited Homeboy Sandman to join him on tour in 2015. Traveling the country together, they built a connection beyond the music, resulting in a friendship that led to recording a few songs together, and before they knew it, there was an infestation...Lice.

Secrets & Escapes is a compendium of Brother Ali's time with Evidence over the course of three trips to California, recording in a Venice garage with no regard for pleasing the internet or competing with the music industry. Ev chopped up records on old-school samplers and ran them through a compressor (2 track) so they couldn’t be re-arranged or mixed. Brother Ali sat with the mic and spit rhymes as they came to him, without writing or organizing them into songs. Ev smoked a lot of weed, Ali prayed a lot, and their influences on each other can be heard in the recordings. Every time they made something that reminded them of what they’ve become known for, they threw it away and started something new. Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch and CS Armstrong all came through to bless the project with contributions too. This album is two friends making rap music for no other reason than because it’s what they love to do

The Rhymesayers RSE25 Tee is equipped with the following features:
• rib crew neck with interior tape
• RSE25 artwork screen-printed on front and back
• designed by Burlesque of North America
• relaxed fit
• 100% combed ring-spun cotton single jersey, 4.3 oz

The KMD Outline Hoodie´s features include:
• drawstring-adjustable two-layer hood with interior tape, metal eyelets plus aglets at the draw cord
•Split stitch double-needle sewing on all seams
• raglan sleeves
• KMD logo printed on front
• KMD embroidery on left sleeve
• kangaroo pocket
• twill neck tape
• custom sewn tag on inner neckline
• stretch rib cuffs and bottom band
• regular fit
• heavy weight 10.3oz, 80% cotton / 20% recycled polyester anti-pill fleece

The KMD Logo Tee is equipped with the following features:
• rib crew neck with interior tape
• KMD logo screenprinted on front
• KMD lettering on back
• printed inner labels
• relaxed fit
• heavy weight, 6.5 oz/yd2, 22-singles
• 100% combed cotton

The Atmosphere Lucy Ford Tee is equipped with the following features:
• rib crew neck with interior tape
• Lucy Ford artwork printed on chest
• regular fit
• 100% combed ring-spun cotton single jersey (4.3oz)

The MF Doom Throw Sweatpants's features include:
• cut & sew custom dyed construction
• elastic, drawstring-adjustable waistband with sturdy eyelets plus aglets including debossed Doom branding
• 2 side-entry front pockets
• welt pocket at wearer’s right rear
• drawstring-adjustable leg opening hemlines with sturdy eyelets
• MF Doom Mask logo embroidered at upper left leg
• brushed interior
• relaxed fit
• 80% cotton, 20% polyester fleece, 450 g/m²

The Aesop Rock Technology Tote Bag is equipped with nice signature graphic art printed on front as well as two handles. 100% cotton.

12oz. natural 100% heavy cotton canvas tote bag.
Features 2-color screen printed front and back.

Aesop Rock ITS Logo Hoodie - Features:

10oz black fleece-lined hoodie.
70% cotton / 30% polyester blend.
Embroidered chest & pocket.
Custom sewn tag on inside neckline.
Split stitch double-needle sewing on all seams.
Twill neck tape.
100% cotton round braided drawcord.
Ribbed cuffs and waistband.
Nickel eyelets.

Aesop Rock Diagnostic Freedom T-Shirt - Features:

100% combed cotton, 5.3 oz midweight gold shirt.
Features 8-color screen printed front.
Printed inner label.
Regular fit.
Crew neck.
Neck ribbing, side seamed, shoulder to shoulder tape, double needle hems.
Pre-shrunk.

Aesop Rock Diagnostic Freedom T-Shirt - Features:

100% combed cotton, 5.3 oz midweight ecru shirt.
Features 12-color screen printed front.
Printed inner label.
Regular fit.
Crew neck.
Neck ribbing, side seamed, shoulder to shoulder tape, double needle hems.
Pre-shrunk.

Aesop Rock Powerful Cat T-Shirt - Features:

100% combed cotton, 5.3 oz midweight black shirt.
Features 5-color screen printed front and custom sewn tag on bottom left.
Printed inner label.
Regular fit.
Crew neck.
Neck ribbing, side seamed, shoulder to shoulder tape, double needle hems.
Pre-shrunk.

The MF DOOM OD Tag Tee is equipped with the following features:

100% cotton, 6 oz heavyweight green shirt.
Features multi-color discharge screen printed front.
Printed Gas Drawls label on inside neckline.
Made with sustainable, fairly grown US cotton.
Set-in rib collar with shoulder to shoulder taping.
Seamless double needle ⅞” collar.
Double needle sleeve and bottom hem.
Pre-shrunk.

Following the success of Aesop Rock's most recent solo album, Spirit World Field Guide, he returns to deliver the instrumental version of those interdimensional adventures. Aesop has long been celebrated for his talents as a lyricist, but he has continually grown and evolved as a producer as well. While the original Spirit World Field Guide was packed with insightful chapters of firsthand know-how into the terrain, wildlife, and social customs of our parallel universe, the Spirit World Field Guide Instrumentals not only set the tone but also provide the roadmap for you to take your own journey. Welcome to the Spirit World. Explore with intention.

Following the release of their debut album, Overcast!, Atmosphere was already making waves in the underground Hip-Hop scene, attracting attention for their unique combination of content, styles and sounds. Although the group was suddenly smaller due to the departure of one member, Spawn, the buzz continued to grow, as did the creative output of remaining members Slug and Ant. Over the next 3 years, the duo recorded and released a flurry of unofficial Atmosphere CD's, tapes, songs and side projects, along with pressing and distributing a string of vinyl EP's, titled "Ford One", "Ford Two", and "The Lucy EP". These vinyl EP's were ultimately consolidated onto one CD as well, for the purpose of selling on tour and distributing to retail, becoming what most considered to be Atmosphere's official sophomore album, Lucy Ford: The Atmosphere EP's, more commonly referred to as simply Lucy Ford. Lucy Ford was packed with the kind of nimble wordplay found on Atmosphere's debut, but it was paired with more self-reflective and introspective rhymes than their previous album. Tracks like "The Woman With the Tattooed Hands" and "Nothing But Sunshine" showed Slug was equally as talented at poignant storytelling as he was at conveying a deeper message for the greater good of humanity, while songs like "Don't Ever Fucking Question That" and "Like Today" stripped away at the character facade, allowing listeners to know the rapper on a more intimate level. The album wasn't entirely devoid of ego though. Slug reminds listeners of his competitive roots on "Guns & Cigarettes" over a truly inspired bluesy beat by Ant, who handled the lion's share of the album's production. And while Ant knows how to bring the emotional essence out of a beat, from the idyllic to the incensed, there were a few notable contributions from outside producers as well, including the dub-inspired "Free or Dead" by Jel, and the darkly optimistic "Nothing But Sunshine" by Moodswing9, among others. Now, in celebration of its 20th anniversary, the entire Lucy Ford album is finally available on 2xLP vinyl, for the first time in history! At last, fans and collectors everywhere can finally own this integral part of Atmosphere's legacy on vinyl, complete with the original artwork and a redesigned layout.

The title of the most recent Atmosphere album, May 2023's So Many Other Realities Exist Simultaneously, evokes the multiversal storytelling that's recently vaulted into the mainstream consciousness. With their latest effort, the irrepressible Talk Talk EP, the Minneapolis legends dart across threads of space-time to grab hold of the one where Slug and Ant became titans of the electro-rap that was foundational to their youths. By evoking acts like Kraftwerk and Egyptian Lover, Atmosphere makes visions of the future from four decades ago seem new once again, the relentless forward churn of technological optimism reimagined as an endless loop with irresistible drums. The genesis of the Talk Talk EP was the session for a song of the same name that appeared on So Many Other Realities Exist Simultaneously. A collaboration with Lifter Puller alum Bat Flower, the song "Talk Talk" exists alongside electro classics in an uncanny valley that's been warped into a sweaty nightclub, at once vaguely alien and deeply human. Enamored with the song's outcome, Slug and Ant returned for a longer exploration of the sound, to mesmeric results. The pulsing "Rotary Telephone," where the TV antennas seem tuned to a world just slightly askew from ours, thrives on the tension between Slug's careening vocals and the song's taught structure_form matched perfectly with content. And on "Hear Hear," the struggle to make human connections is revealed as a beautiful one. For all its well-documented roots in disco and R&B, rap's connection to the electronic music of the 1970s and `80s is a core part of its DNA. The Talk Talk EP is one of the clearest articulations of this truth to emerge in many years, a testament to the communal power of programmed sound. For proof, look no further than "Traveling Forever," the haunting missive that closes out the record. Images flash: of police knees on necks, of prying cameraphones, another empty hotel room indistinguishable from the last. "I never got to learn how to dance for you," Slug raps, pointedly. "I don't know whether or not that's an attribute." A chill runs down your spine but the skull at its top keeps nodding.

The title of the most recent Atmosphere album, May 2023's So Many Other Realities Exist Simultaneously, evokes the multiversal storytelling that's recently vaulted into the mainstream consciousness. With their latest effort, the irrepressible Talk Talk EP, the Minneapolis legends dart across threads of space-time to grab hold of the one where Slug and Ant became titans of the electro-rap that was foundational to their youths. By evoking acts like Kraftwerk and Egyptian Lover, Atmosphere makes visions of the future from four decades ago seem new once again, the relentless forward churn of technological optimism reimagined as an endless loop with irresistible drums. The genesis of the Talk Talk EP was the session for a song of the same name that appeared on So Many Other Realities Exist Simultaneously. A collaboration with Lifter Puller alum Bat Flower, the song "Talk Talk" exists alongside electro classics in an uncanny valley that's been warped into a sweaty nightclub, at once vaguely alien and deeply human. Enamored with the song's outcome, Slug and Ant returned for a longer exploration of the sound, to mesmeric results. The pulsing "Rotary Telephone," where the TV antennas seem tuned to a world just slightly askew from ours, thrives on the tension between Slug's careening vocals and the song's taught structure_form matched perfectly with content. And on "Hear Hear," the struggle to make human connections is revealed as a beautiful one. For all its well-documented roots in disco and R&B, rap's connection to the electronic music of the 1970s and `80s is a core part of its DNA. The Talk Talk EP is one of the clearest articulations of this truth to emerge in many years, a testament to the communal power of programmed sound. For proof, look no further than "Traveling Forever," the haunting missive that closes out the record. Images flash: of police knees on necks, of prying cameraphones, another empty hotel room indistinguishable from the last. "I never got to learn how to dance for you," Slug raps, pointedly. "I don't know whether or not that's an attribute." A chill runs down your spine but the skull at its top keeps nodding.

The Atmosphere Mitten Hoodie´s features include:
• drawstring-adjustable two-layer hood with interior tape, metal eyelets plus aglets at the draw cord
•Split stitch double-needle sewing on all seams
• raglan sleeves
• Mitten artwork printed on front
• kangaroo pocket
• Twill neck tape
• stretch rib cuffs and bottom band
• regular fit
• 80% cotton / 20% polyester blend (8.5oz black fleece-lined)

bonus 7" vinyl (sold separately), featuring two previously digital-only tracks, "Soul Music" and "Who Do You Love?" featuring Slug of Atmosphere and Illogic. 7" full color printed jacket with matte UV finish, custom red colored vinyl, 45 rpm, digital download card.

Sa-Roc Talk To Me Nice Crop Top - Features:
• rib crew neck with interior tape
• Randi Drozd's Talk To Me Nice artwork printed on front
• relaxed fit, cropped cut
• 100% combed cotton preshrunk single jersey, 5.3 oz

The Oliver Hart (Eyedea) Faces Tee is equipped with the following features:
• rib crew neck with interior tape
• Faces artwork 3-color screen printed on chest
• regular fit
• 100% combed ring-spun cotton single jersey (4.3oz)

The Atmosphere Whenever Yellow Youth Babygrow is a romper suit made from single jersey, equipped with ringer crew neck and ringer bordering as well as Atmosphere Whenever artwork printed on front. 100% cotton.

10th anniversary edition of another Rhymesayers classic. Murs & Slug on rhymes and Aespop Rock on beats!

The MF DOOM OD Tag Youth Shirt is equipped with the following features:

100% ringspun cotton, 4.5 oz black unisex youth shirts.
Features multi-color discharge screen printed front.