Search "clark+iradelphic" 43 Items

2023 Repress on Black Vinyl.

The third album from London-based multi-instrumentalist, Robohands. ‘Shapes’ fuses elements of jazz, krautrock, hip hop and ambient music. For fans of Khruangbin, Yusef Dayes, CAN, Coltrane and 70s library music moods.

Shapes is the solo project of London based composer, instrumentalist and producer Andy Baxter. His debut LP Green was released on Village Live Records in 2018 and was received with much love and acclaim in the UK Jazz, hip hop and surrounding scenes.

His follow up full-length, 'Dusk’, dropped in 2019, combining soul, funk, Latin & experimental moods. It featured vocalists & musicians from around the world including legendary New York French horn player, John Clark, who has worked with Isaac Hayes, Gil Evans Orchestra, McCoy Tyner, Jaco Pastorius, Ornette Coleman and many more greats.

'Shapes' is inspired by 1970s library music and their legendary composers including Piero Umiliani, David Axelrod, Brian Bennett and co. The album builds on these influences and incorporates modern motifs, contemporary jazz/hip hop drumming styles with a nod to 1990s Mo Wax artists such as DJ Shadow. The theme for the record is future/nostalgia, mixing vintage & modern instruments and production techniques.

Much of ‘Shapes’ was recorded with JB Pilon at Buffalo Studios in Limehouse, London. Due to the COVID restrictions that changed everything in 2020, the remaining parts were recorded in Andy’s flat using a collection of old mixing desk preamps and instruments.

For the heads – ‘Shapes’ features an array of vintage snares, including a 1960's Ludwig Pioneer and a mono, overhead ribbon mic on the drum kit provided extra old school points! The kick drum was re-amped through a huge vintage bass amplifier on a couple of tracks to give it some real character. “My favourite guitar sound achieved on this LP project is a

Sontronics Sigma ribbon microphone in front of a WEM Dominator amp, which you can hear on the track 'Odysea'. The bass sound for all the tracks is a 1973 Fender Precision into an old Altec valve preamp, the one used on most Motown recordings.”

Coming off his breakout LPs "pop 1967" and "The Rain Knows What It's Doing", andrew seemed an unlikely production partner for Zilla Rocca's bourbon drenched punchlines and late '90s east coast rap lineage.

But that's the thing about chemistry: you can't explain it. You just know when it works.

Every beat andrew sent over became a song. Every song Zilla wrote referencing the touchstones of Italian heritage South Philly residents know too well built a new brotherhood. "Don't Wait For Me to Leave" are songs born of experience backed by the lushest beats in the indie rap lane.

"Dom Irrera" is a note on how your favorite local spots change into vape shops and laundromats over time but you stay the same. "No One Cooks on Friday" boasts how fly it is to order in and do nothing every weekend. "Actions of the Now" examines how failures teach you more than any college ever could on how to succeed.

Of course, there is Rapping! Zilla Rocca has never rapped this much non-stop in his long legged life, specifically on cuts "Draper Papers" and "The River Knows", going 80+ bars deep. andrew takes a look under the hood to add his signature gravel-paved melodious tones to "Dom Irrera", "No One Cooks on Friday", and "You Need Friends". But even off the mic, andrew's now trademark ear for beauty and funk shape the record undeniably.

The most versatile indie rappers of today check in to tell stories and add their signatures to the bottom of the painting - Alaska of Hangar 18/Atoms Fam, PremRock and Curly Castro of ShrapKnel/Wrecking Crew, Wally Clark, Rich Jones, Teller Banks, and Brian Ennals.

"Don't Wait For Me to Leave" is for people who always prefer local over national, neighborhoods over culdesacs, Sunday's with Sinatra over Journey at the dive bar.

2023 Repress on Black Vinyl.

The third album from London-based multi-instrumentalist, Robohands. ‘Shapes’ fuses elements of jazz, krautrock, hip hop and ambient music. For fans of Khruangbin, Yusef Dayes, CAN, Coltrane and 70s library music moods.

Shapes is the solo project of London based composer, instrumentalist and producer Andy Baxter. His debut LP Green was released on Village Live Records in 2018 and was received with much love and acclaim in the UK Jazz, hip hop and surrounding scenes.

His follow up full-length, 'Dusk’, dropped in 2019, combining soul, funk, Latin & experimental moods. It featured vocalists & musicians from around the world including legendary New York French horn player, John Clark, who has worked with Isaac Hayes, Gil Evans Orchestra, McCoy Tyner, Jaco Pastorius, Ornette Coleman and many more greats.

'Shapes' is inspired by 1970s library music and their legendary composers including Piero Umiliani, David Axelrod, Brian Bennett and co. The album builds on these influences and incorporates modern motifs, contemporary jazz/hip hop drumming styles with a nod to 1990s Mo Wax artists such as DJ Shadow. The theme for the record is future/nostalgia, mixing vintage & modern instruments and production techniques.

Much of ‘Shapes’ was recorded with JB Pilon at Buffalo Studios in Limehouse, London. Due to the COVID restrictions that changed everything in 2020, the remaining parts were recorded in Andy’s flat using a collection of old mixing desk preamps and instruments.

For the heads – ‘Shapes’ features an array of vintage snares, including a 1960's Ludwig Pioneer and a mono, overhead ribbon mic on the drum kit provided extra old school points! The kick drum was re-amped through a huge vintage bass amplifier on a couple of tracks to give it some real character. “My favourite guitar sound achieved on this LP project is a

Sontronics Sigma ribbon microphone in front of a WEM Dominator amp, which you can hear on the track 'Odysea'. The bass sound for all the tracks is a 1973 Fender Precision into an old Altec valve preamp, the one used on most Motown recordings.”

Limited edition of 300 copies on CD in jewel case.

Brainwash Projects is a duo comprised of legendary L.A. Symphony members Pigeon John and bTwice. Their one and only album "The Rise And Fall Of Brainwash Projects" was originally released on cassette and CD in 1998 and immediately created a certain buzz amongst Westcoast Underground diggers worldwide. The diverse production paired with hungry MC'ing make the album a timeless piece of music.

Available in a limited run on 2LP in gatefold sleeve, CD in jewel case, cassette and digitally on all major platforms.

Limited edition of 100 copies on cassette.

Brainwash Projects is a duo comprised of legendary L.A. Symphony members Pigeon John and bTwice. Their one and only album "The Rise And Fall Of Brainwash Projects" was originally released on cassette and CD in 1998 and immediately created a certain buzz amongst Westcoast Underground diggers worldwide. The diverse production paired with hungry MC'ing make the album a timeless piece of music.

Available in a limited run on 2LP in gatefold sleeve, CD in jewel case, cassette and digitally on all major platforms.

Limited edition of 500 copies on black vinyl 2LP in gatefold sleeve.

Brainwash Projects is a duo comprised of legendary L.A. Symphony members Pigeon John and bTwice. Their one and only album "The Rise And Fall Of Brainwash Projects" was originally released on cassette and CD in 1998 and immediately created a certain buzz amongst Westcoast Underground diggers worldwide. The diverse production paired with hungry MC'ing make the album a timeless piece of music.

Available in a limited run on 2LP in gatefold sleeve, CD in jewel case, cassette and digitally on all major platforms.

It may have taken the Notorious B.I.G. a few years to follow up his milestone debut, Ready to Die (1994), with another album, but when he did return with Life After Death in 1997, he did so in a huge way. The ambitious album, intended as somewhat of a sequel to Ready to Die, picking up where its predecessor left off, sprawled across the span of two discs, each filled with music, 24 songs in all. You'd expect any album this sprawling to include some lackluster filler. That's not really the case with Life After Death, however. Like 2Pac's All Eyez on Me from a year before, an obvious influence, Biggie's album made extensive use of various producers -- DJ Premier, Easy Mo Bee, Clark Kent, RZA, and more of New York's finest -- resulting in a diverse, eclectic array of songs. Plus, Biggie similarly brought in various guest rappers -- Jay-Z, Lil' Kim, Bone Thugs, Too $hort, L.O.X., Mase -- a few vocalists -- R. Kelly, Angela Winbush, 112 -- and, of course, Puff Daddy, who is much more omnipresent here than on Ready to Die, where he mostly remained on the sidelines. It's perhaps Puffy himself to thank for this album's biggest hits: "Mo Money Mo Problems," "Hypnotize," "Sky's the Limit," three songs that definitely owe much to his pop touch. There's still plenty of the gangsta tales on Life After Death that won Biggie so much admiration on the streets, but it's the pop-laced songs that stand out as highlights. In hindsight, Biggie couldn't have ended his career with a more fitting album than Life After Death. Over the course of only two albums, he achieved every success imaginable, perhaps none greater than this unabashedly over-reaching success. Ready to Die is a milestone album, for sure, but it's nowhere near as extravagant or epic as Life After Death. - allmusic.com

Limited edition of 50 copies.

Limited to 100 copies.

HHE is proud to announce the final part of our 3 volume collaboration with Munk Wit Da Funk, Illadelph Records and The Militant Mind State. Volume 3 includes demos, unreleased tracks, original remixes, freestyles and rarities recorded between 1994 and 2000.

This third volume will be limited to 300 copies total in 3 versions.

HHE is proud to announce the final part of our 3 volume collaboration with Munk Wit Da Funk, Illadelph Records and The Militant Mind State. Volume 3 includes demos, unreleased tracks, original remixes, freestyles and rarities recorded between 1994 and 2000.



This third volume will be limited to 300 copies total in 3 versions.

HHE is proud to announce the final part of our 3 volume collaboration with Munk Wit Da Funk, Illadelph Records and The Militant Mind State. Volume 3 includes demos, unreleased tracks, original remixes, freestyles and rarities recorded between 1994 and 2000.



This third volume will be limited to 300 copies total in 3 versions.

Intuition: This particular thing keeps my head buried in books, vinyl collecting / record playing, working overtime, creating, push-ups, crunches, pull-ups, drinking wine, and limiting human interaction. This internal spirit guide, a feeling in your stomach. I told my oldest daughter don’t lie to me because I’m always going to be able to tell when you’re not telling the truth. My Mother told me when I was younger she has a sixth sense. She had dreams of everyone who passed away in our family before it happened. Some of that rubbed off on me but through vibrations. I’m going to feel something is off before an action takes place. I’m going to receive a notion that an aura is / isn’t connecting with my core and spirit before something actually goes down. I believe that’s our connection to God, or a higher power, or the frequency force fields of all things positive and good. Whatever you believe. We all have it when we’re not overthinking. Intuition. Focus on what you feel. - Shadee Clarke

Limited to 100 copies worldwide.

After spending nearly, a decade delivering flavor to the New Jersey underground hip-hop scene with his crew Animal Crackas, Jersey City native, FRD FRLN (pronounced Ford Fairlane) returns with his new Endemic Emerald produced EP ‘Thoughts Illustrated’. The set features notable guest appearances from Tame One (Artifacts, who has just sadly passed away) & Young Zee (Outsidaz) as well as Stuck B FOH who is the younger brother of the late great Sean Price.
FRD spoke about the project stating, "I am here to update the boom-bap sound, the record is the perfect blend of the past and present. These are simply my thoughts illustrated, Nothing more, nothing less"

Im Laufe des Lebens erleben wir immer wieder Momente, die uns prägen - Ganz gleich ob positiv oder negativ.
Diese Momente formen uns. Sie machen uns zum Individuum. Obwohl jedes der vergangenen T9 Releases auch immer eine Art Selbstporträt ist, war die persönliche Ebene des Schreibers bisher selten so greifbar wie hier - Ihre Doppel-Single "Form" (VÖ 24.04.) kündigt nicht nur ihr neues Album "90/10“ (VÖ 29.05.) an, sie zeigt auch, dass das Œuvre von Torky Tork und Doz9 ein sich stetig auszubreitender und ganzheitlicher Kosmos zu sein scheint. Chapeau!
Mit dem kommenden Konzeptalbum “90/10” wird ihr einzigartiger Stil kompromisslos manifestiert - wie der Albumtitel bereits kryptisch ankündigt, geht es hier um 10 Tracks, die jeweils genau 90 Sekunden lang sind; so als wäre die geringe Aufmerksamkeitsspanne in Zeiten der medialen Überflutung mit einkalkuliert. Schauplatz der Kreativität und Entstehungsort des Albums ist dieses Mal eine in den 80er Jahren besetzte Schule im Herzen Amsterdams.
Von düsteren anti-zyklischen Songs mit virtuos eingespuckten Selbstbeweihräucherungen über tanzbare Gesellschaftskritiken, finden sich bei “90/10” erstmals auch offene Reflexionen des eigenen Formungsprozesses. Ihre Musik kann Wege unzugänglich machen oder Horizonte öffnen - was von beidem, entscheidet jeder für sich selbst.

"Paula rapped for the first time over the phone. I was impressed that she just rapped at the drop of a dime, no hesitation. She didn't explain what the rhyme was going to be about , she just rhymed!" Masta Ace recalls. "The female rappers who were out in rap at the time weren't really flowing as well -- on record or at shows -- as she did over the phone.”

Ace liked Paula's style and put her down with The INC., where she was featured on “Who u Jackin'" (from the LP Slaughtahouse) as well as doing background vocals for “What's Going On”, and "Eastbound." Paula also later appeared on the 1995 Sittin' on Chrome album tracks “This Ain't No Game" and "The 8-Side." While being a member of The INC. Paula toured the world with Ace, sharing the stage with the likes of Notorious B.I.G., Wu-Tang Clan, Warren G., Blackstreet, and Queen Latifah.

In getting a deal for Paula, Ace decided to create the music and get it out to the underground, instead of taking the customary route of shopping a demo tape to various record labels. They concocted "Paula's Jam (I Keep It Real Like That)" and after the song was completed, he pressed up some vinyl and shipped it to the top DJ’s all over the country. Once the record was serviced, it immediately became a mixtape staple and requests for the record came from all over including record stores, radio stations, clubs and college radio. Early supporters include New York DJ's Red Alert and Funkmaster Flex, mixtape kings Mister Cee and D.J. Clue, along with Wu-Tang's Method Man and rapper Redman. Record labels were bidding for Paula, but Loose Cannon won out.

"Paula Perry is one of the most talented rappers I've ever heard. She epitomizes what the label is looking for -- raw talent and in your face style. Paula's a true loose cannon and we look forward to blowing up the spot with her," says Lisa Cortes President of Loose Cannon Records.



All the info above are parts taken from an original press release issued by Loose Cannon Records after “Paula’s Jam” was released and in anticipation of the full album that would later become known as “Tales From Fort Knox”. Soon after in 1996 Polygram made the decision to discontinue “Loose Cannon Records” and from the entire label roster only Buju Banton was retained. Paula then shortly fell under the Mercury umbrella but after a lot of in-house changes she ended up at Motown, who planned to release the album on their “Mad Sounds Recordings” sublabel which was primarily focused on hip-hop. When it was time for “Extra, Extra!!” to be released, the label had shifted big chunks of Paula’s promotional budget to Queen Latifah and eventually the album ended up getting shelved.



The album contains production by Domingo, DJ Premier, Easy Mo Bee, Masta Ace (Ase One), Clark Kent, Fanatic, DR Period, Jesse West and features by Masta Ace, Jesse West, Lost Boyz, Kelly Price, Bahamadia, Heather B, Nikki D, Precious Paris & Rah Digga.



Limited to only 350 copies, including a 4 page booklet and all tracks have been remastered by Tradd. The CD version will also have an extra bonus track, the "Paula's Jam (Remix)" produced by Knobody.

Boot Records proudly presents the Jazz T remix of Roughneck Jihad & Senz Beats' track "Catastrophe", from their 2021 EP (also on Boot Records) "The Little Assassination Handbook". The B-side offers up an exclusive cut from Lex Boogie From The Bronx & Senz Beats entitled "War of the Worlds", featuring scratches by DJ Jazz T.

DJ Jazz-T, owner of Boot Records, was the 1999 UK ITF Advancement champion. He has laced cuts on hundreds of tracks since 1995 and produces under the name of Jazz T and Boot Productions, which is Jazz & genius Dr Zygote. He was Tim Dog's tour DJ before he passed away, and he currently DJs for Gawd Status, Jehst, Micall Parknsun, Ramson Badbonez, Leaf Dog & BVA, Joker Starr and Diversion Tactics. Jihad the Roughneck MC started rhyming in the late 80's and was a member of one group before Third Sight (with Dufunk & D-Styles). He is originally from the city of Santa Clara in Northern California, relocating to the Los Angeles area in 2004. He has played shows in California, Nevada, Oregon and toured Japan twice with Third Sight.

Lex Boogie From The Bronx grew up as a kid around the jams in the parks. He carries The Bronx with him wherever he goes. His different chambers of production and raps have seen him work with the likes of Stahhr, Marq Spekt, Boog Brown, Vordul Mega, billy woods, Mike Flo & more. Originally from Brussels, now based in Montreal, Senz' first approach to cutting records up was on a pair of Technics 1200s, which he and his best friend claimed mutual custody over (1 month each) in 1998. After over 15 years spent producing on MPC ("War of the Worlds" was produced on a 2000xl), 2020 saw Senz switch to Koala Sampler app, by Elf Audio. His crazy beats have grabbed the attention of legends such as Dibia$e & Grap Luva.

HHE is proud to announce a collaboration with Munk Wit Da Funk, Illadelph Records and The Militant Mind State. We have a double disc anthology that will include all the classics, unreleased tracks, demos, original remixes, freestyles and rarities recorded between 1994 and 2000.

Getting Ahead Without Devolving is not only the acronym that makes up part of Iamgawd's name but a mantra for approaching the music industry on his own terms. Iamgawd is a rare talent that draws listeners in with each second hitting harder than the last. A former resident of the LeClaire Courts housing projects on Chicago's south side, he fills the music canvas with the wisdom that comes from surviving in that reality. With conviction in every word he speaks, Iamgawd also brings an immeasurable amount of wit and charm in narratives crafted into song. A top tier lyricist in his own right. Connecting with Chicago production royalty, Custom Made, Iamgawd shines bright over any sounds laid out for him. This concept album puts you in the shoes of a man coming to terms with his environment and his place in it. Recognizing the obstacles that stand in the way of getting ahead is only part of the story. Being able to overcome against all odds is a trait found in the survivors of this American experiment. It also serves as a through-line for this collection of stories in song form. An indelible image of us. The Eternal Reflection. 12” black vinyl limited to 300 copies

The third album from London-based multi-instrumentalist, Robohands. ‘Shapes’ fuses elements of jazz, krautrock, hip hop and ambient music. For fans of Khruangbin, Yusef Dayes, CAN, Coltrane and 70s library music moods.

Shapes is the solo project of London based composer, instrumentalist and producer Andy Baxter. His debut LP Green was released on Village Live Records in 2018 and was received with much love and acclaim in the UK Jazz, hip hop and surrounding scenes.

His follow up full-length, 'Dusk’, dropped in 2019, combining soul, funk, Latin & experimental moods. It featured vocalists & musicians from around the world including legendary New York French horn player, John Clark, who has worked with Isaac Hayes, Gil Evans Orchestra, McCoy Tyner, Jaco Pastorius, Ornette Coleman and many more greats.

'Shapes' is inspired by 1970s library music and their legendary composers including Piero Umiliani, David Axelrod, Brian Bennett and co. The album builds on these influences and incorporates modern motifs, contemporary jazz/hip hop drumming styles with a nod to 1990s Mo Wax artists such as DJ Shadow. The theme for the record is future/nostalgia, mixing vintage & modern instruments and production techniques.

Much of ‘Shapes’ was recorded with JB Pilon at Buffalo Studios in Limehouse, London. Due to the COVID restrictions that changed everything in 2020, the remaining parts were recorded in Andy’s flat using a collection of old mixing desk preamps and instruments.

For the heads – ‘Shapes’ features an array of vintage snares, including a 1960's Ludwig Pioneer and a mono, overhead ribbon mic on the drum kit provided extra old school points! The kick drum was re-amped through a huge vintage bass amplifier on a couple of tracks to give it some real character. “My favourite guitar sound achieved on this LP project is a

Sontronics Sigma ribbon microphone in front of a WEM Dominator amp, which you can hear on the track 'Odysea'. The bass sound for all the tracks is a 1973 Fender Precision into an old Altec valve preamp, the one used on most Motown recordings.”

The “The Balancing Act” album title is inspired by the way Statik balances his responsibilities as a father, as an artist, as a producer and as a DJ. To execute his vision for the album cover, Statik enlisted famed designers Dom Dirtee and Tristan Eaton, whose work can be seen in the Museum of Modern Art's (MoMA) and has been featured across the world from Paris to Shanghai.

The album follows Statik’s collaborative album with Bun B in April 2019, when they famously teamed up to release TrillStatik – a joint album that was created entirely from scratch during an 11-hour livestream on YouTube. Prior to that release, Statik released a 2017 solo artist album, 8, which featured heavyweights like Run the Jewels, G-Eazy, Wiz Khalifa, Action Bronson, Wale, The LOX and Raekwon, among many others.

Earlier this year, XXL named Statik Selektah as one of the 48 Greatest Hip-Hop DJs of All-Time. As a producer, he’s known for his work on a slew of standout songs, including J. Cole and Joey Bada$$’s “Legendary” and Eminem’s collaboration with Big Sean, Royce da 5’9”, Danny Brown, Dej Loaf and Trick-Trick on “Detroit vs. Everybody.”

Tony D “Da Goodfella” was recorded in 1996. It features Tony’s Mafia laced braggadocio lyrics over his own self produced melodic hard edged tracks. This never heard before EP's artwork pays homage to one of Tony's favorite movies. “Da Goodfella” was part of Tony’s incomplete project list prior to his passing on April 4, 2009. It was important to Tony's daughters that their Father's project be completed and released. His extraordinary talent deserves to be heard as he has left an indelible mark on the music industry. Tony D was a legendary Italian American Hip Hop Producer & Emcee from New Jersey. He was well known for his production of the conscious groundbreaking Hip Hop group Poor Righteous Teachers along with YZ, Black Prince & Aziatic, Blvd. Mosse, Scott Lark and many others. He released his solo album: "Droppin' Funky Verses" (4th & B'Way, 1991), Crusaders for Real Hip Hop "Deja Vu - It's 82" (Profile Records, 1992), several instrumental projects on the UK based Grand Central Records and various releases on his independent Cha-Ching Records label. In addition to all of Tony's talent, he was also a dedicated husband and amazing Father to his family.

Tony D “Da Goodfella” was recorded in 1996. It features Tony’s Mafia laced braggadocio lyrics over his own self produced melodic hard edged tracks. This never heard before EP's artwork pays homage to one of Tony's favorite movies. “Da Goodfella” was part of Tony’s incomplete project list prior to his passing on April 4, 2009. It was important to Tony's daughters that their Father's project be completed and released. His extraordinary talent deserves to be heard as he has left an indelible mark on the music industry. Tony D was a legendary Italian American Hip Hop Producer & Emcee from New Jersey. He was well known for his production of the conscious groundbreaking Hip Hop group Poor Righteous Teachers along with YZ, Black Prince & Aziatic, Blvd. Mosse, Scott Lark and many others. He released his solo album: "Droppin' Funky Verses" (4th & B'Way, 1991), Crusaders for Real Hip Hop "Deja Vu - It's 82" (Profile Records, 1992), several instrumental projects on the UK based Grand Central Records and various releases on his independent Cha-Ching Records label. In addition to all of Tony's talent, he was also a dedicated husband and amazing Father to his family.

HHE is back with some crazy dope, raw Colombian flavor! Most Ralf N' Lark are an underground duo out of Bogota, Colombia that brings nothing but raw 90's influenced boom bap. Bogota has one of biggest and most relevant 90's influenced hip-hop scenes in the world and has produced a slew of relevant artists the last couple of years.



Last year the HHE / Da Steez Brothaz collabo surprised many cats and the response was great. You better be ready now for the next surprise in the form of Most Ralf N' Lark cause it's their time now! EPS & MPC Facts was produced entirely by Most Ralf N' Lark themselves which shows how talented and versatile they really are. The A-Side has 6 killer vocal joints while the B-Side has 5 sick instrumentals. As an extra you will get the superb "No Es Para Mi" as a bonus track on the B-Side, which was produced by Shar the Analog Bastard. The entire album was mastered by M Padrum so you know already the quality will be top notch!

German beatmaker BoFaatBeatz is mad prolific on the boards. Dude has hundreds if not thousands of instrumentals. I hit him up when I saw he’d just recorded features with Recognize Ali and Kwest who’s projects I released earlier this year. We had a good chat and he kindly allowed Herring to have free reign over selecting tracks for an album project on Herring. There were loads to choose from and dude sent us a constant flow of newly recorded joints as well as some stuff from the Hannover archives!! He then remixed a load of those joints and dropped the remixes on digi and limited cd leaving the “original” unheard versions for this “The Original Nothing But Kung Fu LP” on Chopped Herring Records. In some ways similar to the well-received AJ Munson LP we dropped from late 2018, Kung Fu includes verses from a bunch of low key and new mc’s from all over the States. As well as the heavy hitters mentioned above, there is also an ill jawn by Nine & Smoothe The Hustler. What’s not to like?? Check it out y’all!!!

German beatmaker BoFaatBeatz is mad prolific on the boards. Dude has hundreds if not thousands of instrumentals. I hit him up when I saw he’d just recorded features with Recognize Ali and Kwest who’s projects I released earlier this year. We had a good chat and he kindly allowed Herring to have free reign over selecting tracks for an album project on Herring. There were loads to choose from and dude sent us a constant flow of newly recorded joints as well as some stuff from the Hannover archives!! He then remixed a load of those joints and dropped the remixes on digi and limited cd leaving the “original” unheard versions for this “The Original Nothing But Kung Fu LP” on Chopped Herring Records. In some ways similar to the well-received AJ Munson LP we dropped from late 2018, Kung Fu includes verses from a bunch of low key and new mc’s from all over the States. As well as the heavy hitters mentioned above, there is also an ill jawn by Nine & Smoothe The Hustler. What’s not to like?? Check it out y’all!!!

The Fugees were an American Hip Hop group who rose to fame in the mid-1990s. Refugee Camp (Bootleg Versions) is a remix album of a song selection from their 1994 debut Blunted On Reality and follow-up The Score, released in 1996. The album features eight tracks, including seven remixes, and one new recording. The album peaked at #127 on the Billboard 200 in the United States.

In recent years, Los Angeles rapper Blu has become one of hip hop’s most prolific artists, releasing more than a dozen acclaimed projects and building a worldwide fanbase. The gifted lyricist often joins forces with a single producer for an entire collection, leading to classic collaborative releases with Exile, Nottz, Madlib, and more. Now, Blu is back with The Blueprint, a new mixtape produced by Shafiq Husayn. Known as one third of visionary production team Sa-Ra Creative Partners, Shafiq has produced for the likes of Erykah Badu, Kanye West, Andre 3000, John Legend, Anderson Paak, Thundercat, Bilal, Ty Dolla $ign, Ice T, and many more. Dedicated to the gang culture that permeates the city they both call home, The Blueprint reflects Blu’s eternal L.A. state of mind, with Shafiq’s eclectic soundscapes providing the perfect backdrop.

In recent years, Los Angeles rapper Blu has become one of hip hop’s most prolific artists, releasing more than a dozen acclaimed projects and building a worldwide fanbase. The gifted lyricist often joins forces with a single producer for an entire collection, leading to classic collaborative releases with Exile, Nottz, Madlib, and more. Now, Blu is back with The Blueprint, a new mixtape produced by Shafiq Husayn. Known as one third of visionary production team Sa-Ra Creative Partners, Shafiq has produced for the likes of Erykah Badu, Kanye West, Andre 3000, John Legend, Anderson Paak, Thundercat, Bilal, Ty Dolla $ign, Ice T, and many more. Dedicated to the gang culture that permeates the city they both call home, The Blueprint reflects Blu’s eternal L.A. state of mind, with Shafiq’s eclectic soundscapes providing the perfect backdrop.

Prince Paul hit Chopped Herring up to release this dope early 90's project!!

The first incarnation of the group was formed around 1989 in Amityville, Long Island, New York, although the family grew up in Long Island. The family of four brothers (Anthony, Richard, Joel, and Edward) and one sister (Dawne), of which Anthony (Poetic) was the eldest, were born to Trinidadian parents who moved from Trinidad and Tobago in 1971, making their first residence in Queens, New York for a short time, then moving to Long Island. John Berkeley (a pastor and a local businessman) and Ela Berkeley (a homemaker, cook-nutritionist, and teacher) were both singers and artistic in general, and they encouraged artistic expression in their five children. The family was well-rounded musically, singing gospel and R&B up to their early teens all around New York, other states, and Canada as "The Berkeley Singers". Anthony (Poetic), Dawne, and Joel (Brainstorm) sang, accompanied by Richard on the drums and Eddie (E-Sharp) on the piano or keyboard.

Poetic began rhyming in his early teens in Wyandanch, and was known by many names and building a name for himself as a lyrical battle MC. He changed his name to Poetic around 1985, and in 1986 he formed the crew known as Too Poetic, who in 1988-89 released a modestly popular single called: “God Made Me Funky/Poetical Terror”, under the DNA/Tommy Boy Music imprint. The group’s relationship with Tommy Boy Records eventually panned out for various reasons, scrapping the album and making Poetic very displeased, an early casualty of the politics of the music business.

While Poetic was just beginning his formal hip hop career in 1987–89, Brainstorm was attending college at the State University of New York at Farmingdale, Long Island, where he was the roommate of Brooklyn’s own Super DJ Richie Rich (who had been in Third Base, Clark Kent’s Supermen, and the movie Juice). The university was host to many hip hop artists as visitors for parties and to do shows like Rakim, EPMD, Producer-Super DJ Clark Kent, and Biz Markie.

After Brainstorm finished his college run in 1989, he took time to learn many aspects of the music business, but in 1989 he and Poetic mutually decided to pair up with a hardcore lyrical edge, original word play, and acute metaphors, after many collaborations between them since 1985. Thus, Da Bruthas G.R.Y.M. was born shortly after Too Poetic’s deal with DNA/Tommy Boy had soured. The energy and high chemistry between these true by-blood brothers at the time was, simply put, natural.

In the first Bruthas G.R.Y.M. era (c. 1989–1992), the brothers Poetic (Brother One) and Brainstorm (Brother Two) garnered much respect on the underground hip hop scene of New York Their first official demo featured the underground bangers like “Bruthas G.R.Y.M.”, “Circle-Circle-Dot-Dot”, the politically charged “Popcorn” and “Livin’ In Hell (Had To Survive)”. The demo featured production mastering by Nate "NATO" Tinsley, their in-house producer Semi-Automatic (Pedro Sims, Mr. Semi, Gravediggaz), and the brothers themselves. After blazing underground radio and live shows around New York City, they were listed in The Source magazine as the best unsigned rap group of 1989. The crew was then managed by longtime friend Jack Pope (Jack Sprat, Starving Artists Entertainment), who later became the road manager of the Gravediggaz.

These cassette tape “dubs” floated around the New York streets in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and their demo eventually made their way to the seasoned musical ear of fellow Amityvillain Prince Paul (Stetsasonic, De La Soul, Gravediggaz) from his association with the local Long Island artists who had met the brothers and saw their raw talent. In 1990 Prince Paul decided to fund and executive produce further demos, finding various other known and up-and-coming producers for the unnamed project, as well as being the tentative DJ for the group.

Then the unfortunate happened – being disenfranchised by the politics and games of the music business and life in general, Brainstorm just quit altogether for “personal enlightenment”, before any formal deal could solidify. Poetic understood about Brainstorm’s personal path at that stage in his life, but was silently devastated because they were so close to sealing a major record deal that would have propelled them further into Hip Hop history.

Their original demo, even today, is still one of Prince Paul’s favorites. It was not until 1992 that Poetic, after Brainstorm quit in 1991, that it is said that Poetic “fell on hard times”, including a short period of homelessness.

Brainstorm would continue to write for leisure and therapeutic reasoning, but never to seriously pursue a music career, moving to Brooklyn New York and later down south to various states; in fact, Brainstorm was so “finished with Hip Hop” that he gave Poetic all of his original rhyme books to use at his own discretion – some lyrics ending up on Gravediggaz projects.

Recorded while being on tour with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis … feat. Gary Clarke Jr., Raekwon, Black Thought, The Underachievers etc. … produced by Khrysis, Oh No, J Dilla & others!

Samples Nu Shooz … whoop!