Search "career crooks" 311 Items

Limited to 500 copies.

Benny The Butcher blazed a trail as an elite voice in rap’s underground to become a top artist in all of music. The prolific Buffalo, New Yorker has established two legendary (and concurrent) album series, broken bread with industry leaders, and twice reached the Billboard Top 40 albums chart as an independent. Now Benny sets the table for a definitive 2022. Soon, he will unveil his highly-anticipated Tana Talk 4. By 2004, Benny combined these experiences to launch the Tana Talk series while on house arrest. As TT3 promised, Benny delivered two volumes of The Plugs I Met, in 2019 and 2021, on his Black Soprano Family imprint. In between, Benny inked with Roc Nation management and made songs with Drake, Lil Wayne, Black Thought, and Freddie Gibbs. He also partnered with Grammy-winning producer Hit-Boy to flaunt his range on 2020’s acclaimed Burden Of Proof. If the third installment of Tana Talk made Benny a formidable presence in Rap, Volume 4 propels him to stardom. Debut single “Johnny P’s Caddy” partners The Butcher with J. Cole over The Alchemist production. Al’ and Daringer handle the album’s music, just as they seamlessly did on TT3. Conway, Westside Gunn, 38 Spesh and more guest on TT4, as does Stove God Cooks. Benny’s skills and authenticity have cemented his place in the game. However, in a career defined by will and perseverance, The Butcher’s blade keeps getting sharper.

Benny The Butcher blazed a trail as an elite voice in rap’s underground to become a top artist in all of music. The prolific Buffalo, New Yorker has established two legendary (and concurrent) album series, broken bread with industry leaders, and twice reached the Billboard Top 40 albums chart as an independent. Now Benny sets the table for a definitive 2022. Soon, he will unveil his highly-anticipated Tana Talk 4. By 2004, Benny combined these experiences to launch the Tana Talk series while on house arrest. As TT3 promised, Benny delivered two volumes of The Plugs I Met, in 2019 and 2021, on his Black Soprano Family imprint. In between, Benny inked with Roc Nation management and made songs with Drake, Lil Wayne, Black Thought, and Freddie Gibbs. He also partnered with Grammy-winning producer Hit-Boy to flaunt his range on 2020’s acclaimed Burden Of Proof. If the third installment of Tana Talk made Benny a formidable presence in Rap, Volume 4 propels him to stardom. Debut single “Johnny P’s Caddy” partners The Butcher with J. Cole over The Alchemist production. Al’ and Daringer handle the album’s music, just as they seamlessly did on TT3. Conway, Westside Gunn, 38 Spesh and more guest on TT4, as does Stove God Cooks. Benny’s skills and authenticity have cemented his place in the game. However, in a career defined by will and perseverance, The Butcher’s blade keeps getting sharper.

Benny The Butcher blazed a trail as an elite voice in rap’s underground to become a top artist in all of music. The prolific Buffalo, New Yorker has established two legendary (and concurrent) album series, broken bread with industry leaders, and twice reached the Billboard Top 40 albums chart as an independent. Now Benny sets the table for a definitive 2022. Soon, he will unveil his highly-anticipated Tana Talk 4. By 2004, Benny combined these experiences to launch the Tana Talk series while on house arrest. As TT3 promised, Benny delivered two volumes of The Plugs I Met, in 2019 and 2021, on his Black Soprano Family imprint. In between, Benny inked with Roc Nation management and made songs with Drake, Lil Wayne, Black Thought, and Freddie Gibbs. He also partnered with Grammy-winning producer Hit-Boy to flaunt his range on 2020’s acclaimed Burden Of Proof. If the third installment of Tana Talk made Benny a formidable presence in Rap, Volume 4 propels him to stardom. Debut single “Johnny P’s Caddy” partners The Butcher with J. Cole over The Alchemist production. Al’ and Daringer handle the album’s music, just as they seamlessly did on TT3. Conway, Westside Gunn, 38 Spesh and more guest on TT4, as does Stove God Cooks. Benny’s skills and authenticity have cemented his place in the game. However, in a career defined by will and perseverance, The Butcher’s blade keeps getting sharper.

“Ben Buck B Sides” is a remix compilation by rapper/beatboxer/producer, Ben Buck. Born and raised in Austin Texas, Ben Buck has become a mainstay of the underground hip hop scene in Texas for the past several years. “B Sides” came about during the height of the 2020 corona virus epidemic. With limited ways to collaborate with other artists face to face, Buck came up with a way to re-tool his past discography by sending out the acapellas from his past 3 albums (Kilroy, Speaker Bump Deluxe and The Marquee) to producers all over the country. What came about was the first volume of “Ben Buck B Sides”. With deep influences in the golden era and traditional styles of underground hip hop, Ben Buck strives to innovate and continue the legacy of artists who paved the way before him. Hailing from a musical family, Ben Buck’s father Mike Buck was a founding member of the legendary blues group “The Fabulous Thunderbirds”. Mike Buck is also the co-owner of the historic Antone’s Record Shop in Austin Texas where both Ben and his sister Billie work. His sister Billie Buck is also the frontwoman for the garage/punk band “Sailor Poon” (Austin Chronicle’s Best Punk Band 2018, 2019 and 2020). She is a gifted graphic designer and poster artist, and frequently does designs for Ben’s merchandising and album covers. Over the course of his musical career, Ben Buck has beatboxed on stage alongside several hip hop legends on their tour dates through Texas including: Ghostface Killah and Inspectah Deck (Wu Tang Clan), Skyzoo, Bushwick Bill (Geto Boys), Czarface, RA The Rugged Man, Aceyalone (Freestyle Fellowship, Project Blowed) and many others. Buck’s live performance centers around high energy lyricism and live beatbox looping, with large emphasis on crowd work, reminiscent of a blend of artists such as Reggie Watts, Rahzel and Action Bronson.

Amidst a sea of MCs wielding average talents at best and substandard jewels at worst, West Coast hip-hop crew the Tunnel Rats have consistently challenged the LA underground scene for over the past 20 years with top notch innovations from the studio to the stage. The Tunnel Rats were notorious for producing hard-hitting 90s West Coast hardcore hip-hop albums such as the collective’s first disc Experience and the subgroup LPG’s inaugural classic entitled The Earthworm (both efforts produced by Peace 586 and also the album responsible for hosting the legendary Pigeon John’s first appearance on record). The crew entered the early 2000s with a better label situation and distribution thru Uprok Records and perfecting their progressive sound, combining their evangelical Christian commitments with the rawest and audacious hip-hop content (mixing both organically to the point that many fans had absolutely no idea that they doubled in the “Christian hip-hop” market). The 2000s saw the Tunnel Rats releasing The Battle for LA (2003), a provocative documentary on the Los Angeles battle scene (in which various members of the crew took on opponents, one of whom was Blu of Blu and Exile, battling Tunnel Rat member Propaganda), as well as both producing and featuring on KRS-One’s album Life (2006). This special 7” showcases infamous and feared TR lyricist Jurny Big alongside original Tunnel Rat producer Peace 586, known together as “The Battery.” After returning to the scene after about decade hiatus, Jurny linked up with Peace and released three Battery EPs (One, Two, and The Change Up) on indie label Illect Records (Theory Hazit, Braille), all well-received by their core fanbase and newcomers. On “Rear View,” Jurny, known and respected for his exceptional and abrasive conceptual battle rapping, head to head and on record, approaches a raucous and heavy Peace beat alongside fellow Tunnel Rat soldiers Propaganda and Sojourn of TR former subgroup Future Shock with punchlines that take us back to his earlier days as a formidable verbal foe who showed up and showed out on tracks with the likes of Myka Nyne (Freestyle Fellowship, Haiku D’Etat, Project Blowed) and Ahmad (4th Avenue Jones). “Rear View” features three seasoned lyricists doing more than justice to this massive Peace track, showing die-hard fans why the Rats still aren’t to be taken lightly. Also, this is Jurny’s first appearance on vinyl in his long and remarkable career, an occurrence many Tunnel Rats enthusiasts have anticipated. Limited to 200. This 7” is truly a very important and unique contribution to West Coast hip-hop history, past and present.

The Kid That Did is the fourth studio album from acclaimed rapper and Detroit staple, Babyface Ray. Known for his effortless, conversational flow and sharp wordplay, Ray has been building momentum over the past few years, and his latest project promises to be another milestone in his career.

Following the success of 2022’s Face, which reached #3 on Apple Music’s all-genre chart and earned praise from outlets like Billboard and Complex, and MOB, which featured collaborations with heavyweights like Lil Durk and Blxst, Ray’s new work showcases an artist at the peak of his game. His recent singles “Green Carpet,” “Money On My Mind,” and “Understand” each pulled in over 1.5 million streams in their first week, setting the stage for The Kid That Did to be his biggest release yet.

Fresh off a label deal with Empire and riding the success of his first RIAA-certified gold record, Babyface Ray’s influence continues to grow. After a sold-out tour and major appearances, including a performance on Jimmy Fallon and being named to XXL’s 2022 Freshman Class, Ray is ready to take things to the next level with The Kid That Did.

With his signature Detroit sound and an impressive lineup of collaborators including Bossman Dlow, Peezy, Fabolous, G Herbo, DJ Esco & more, The Kid That Did is set up to be a defining moment for Ray as he solidifies his place in modern hip-hop.

A thoughtful, literate “gangsta” rapper in the truest of New York traditions, critics have long celebrated AZ’s lyrical prowess. Like local peers Nas and Jay-Z, not only does AZ bring intelligence to his rhymes, but also an impressive flow and delivery that further sets him apart from the flood of New York MC’s fighting for survival in the crowded rap game. With a successful underground career dating back to 1995, AZ has often been linked to Nas (beginning with a career making step-out on Nas’ “Life’s a Bitch” from the album “Illmatic”). With Pete Rock crafting beats for him on his solo outings, his career took a sudden upswing as he joined rap super group The Firm (featuring Nas, Foxy Brown and Nature) recording with Dr. Dre and The Trackmasters for the ‘97 release of The Firm’s “The Album”. He followed up the group outing with five heralded solos albums, including ‘Doe or Die’, ‘Pieces of a Man’, ‘Aziatic, ‘9 Lives’, and ‘sosa (Save Our Streets Az)’.

The 6th full length solo effort from the rapper, ‘awol’, is a rock solid album of classic AZ material. With production from highly regarded New York underground legends such as DJ Premier, Buckwild, and DipSet production duo the Heatmakerz, and features from Wu-Tang Clan’s Raekwon and Ghostface Killah, the rapper stepped away from his previously money-oriented subject matter, stating that he "wanted it to be all street.” The results are a certified classic.

In their 25-plus years as a duo, Atmosphere's rapper Slug and producer Ant have built a legacy that is embedded in the fabric of underground hip-hop. Rising in the ranks of Minneapolis, their debut album, Overcast! was released in 1997. Presented as a flurry of vignettes, and paired with an unending touring schedule, the album was a springboard from which the group was able to become a fixture in the midwest music scene. It wasn't long before their songwriting evolved from telling inventive third-person tales to delivering introspective first-person eviscerations, and by the early 2000's Slug would jokingly birth the phrase "emo rap" in an interview before publications began running with the genre tag to describe them and others. In the decades since their debut, Atmosphere has maintained a course of rigorous output, releasing over two dozen studio albums, EP's and collaborative side projects in as many years. The venerated duo have built a legacy out of bringing honesty, humility and vulnerability to the forefront of their music. Slug has proven masterful at storytelling and writing compelling narratives, leaving a trail of his own influence while paying homage to the rappers and songwriters that helped shape him. Meanwhile, Ant has skillfully molded the soundtracks with inspiration from soul, funk, rock, reggae, and the wizardry of hip-hop's pioneering DJ's and producers, creating his own trademark sounds and providing the pulse for songs about life, love, stress and setbacks. At its essence, Atmosphere has been a musical shepherd, guiding generations of listeners through this thing called life. Their newest album, 2023's So Many Other Realities Exist Simultaneously, captures perhaps some of Atmosphere's most personal work to date. The odyssey opens with a gentler approach than recent works, with the lead-off track "Okay" seemingly focused on comforting and reassuring the listener. As Slug raps over one of the most twinkling productions Ant has ever released, the song lays the groundwork for an album-length exercise in fumbling consciousness. Yet, as gently as the album begins, there's an unmistakable sense of unease from the outset that continues to evolve throughout the project, as Slug and Ant weave the listener through indistinct themes of insomnia and woe. From the subtle panic at the heart of songs like "Dotted Lines" to the overt anxiety of songs like "In My Head," the unease across tracks is unmistakable. Yet, as the tears might begin to well, they find resolve again through songs like "Still Life," whose hopeful outlook undercuts the tensity of the album. All the while, the rhythms on So Many Other Realities are some of the most inventive of Atmosphere's career. Ant's playful percussion on "In My Head" acts as a nice counterweight to the roiling writing, while the drum patterns on "Holding My Breath" and "Bigger Pictures" allow Slug to play with his flow to emphasize the anxiety driving the record. Where previous records in this most recent act of Atmosphere's career have been focused on emphasizing the parts of life that carry the most meaning_family, brotherhood, purpose_So Many Other Realities is an almost unnerving excavation of paranoia inspired by the general malaise of a pandemic weary society full of civil unrest. The tension in these songs is palpable, but the album's mere presence is a testament to the hope that has to underpin even the most stressed out epiphanies. The greatest risk Atmosphere has continued to take across their career is that of being vulnerable and unafraid. The world has inconceivably changed since Slug and Ant entered into the underground hip-hop scene, but despite the seismic shifts in music and culture, they've held strong to a foundation rooted in sly innovation and truth. The duo's relentless release & touring schedules only tell a piece of the story, but spending time with their records_whether you're a new fan or a longstanding listener_reveals a pair of friends who love to create and live for unabashed self-expression. Their bare reflections on life and the mundane traumas and joys that make living worthwhile are a gift, and that is Atmosphere's legacy in and of itself. If the music stopped tomorrow, the duo would go down as two quiet titans who changed the course of everyman rap forever.

Originally Released In The Summer Of 1997, Overcast! Markedthe Start Of A Storied Career That Still Shows No Signs Of Slowing Down. While Slug And Original Co-Member Spawn's Rhymepatterns And Passion For Wordplay May Have Hinted At Someof Their Influences, Their Creative Songwriting And Inventiveconcepts, Paired With Ant's Brooding And Melodic Production,Made The Album Stand Apart From Its Predecessors And Peers.Overcast! Covers A Range Of Topics And Moods, From Thedramatic Storytelling On "Wnd", To The Sobering Reflections On"Caved In", To The Meticulous Imagery And Cultural Dissectionon "Clay", All Joined By A Wealth Of Clever Punchlines Andmetaphors Coming Together To Form A Well-Balanced And Diversecollection Of Lyricism. Of Course, There's Also "Scapegoat", With Its Beautifully Ominous Musical Backdrop And Slug's Perfectly Scripted Satirical Rant, Which Took The Underground By Storm And Played A Significant Role In Opening Ears Around The World To Give A Listen To What Atmosphere And Rhymesayers Had To Say. Although Widely Considered An Underground Classic, The Full Length Overcast! Album Was Never Pressed On Vinyl Until Alimited Edition Run Hit Stores In 2017, In Celebration Of Thealbum's 20th Anniversary. Now Re-Packaged And Produced Forwider Distribution, Fans Everywhere Can Add This Re-Masteredmasterpiece To Their Collection. Celebrate Atmosphere'slegacy Of Creative Expression With The Album That Started It All!

Featuring Pharoahe Monch, M.O.P., Celph Titled, A.G., Locksmith, Ryu and Diabolic. Production by DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Buckwild, Nottz, Stu Bangas, Chumzilla and more.

After developing a loyal cult following which spans over 15 years worth of catalog, seasoned veteran Apathy unleashes his 6th studio full length, which undoubtedly is one of the biggest albums of his career thus far. The Demigodz/Army of the Pharaohs MC maintains a hardcore vibe with surgically-precise writing and has brought along a who's who of legendary hip hop heavyweights to contribute on the project. Conceptually, the album is steeped within the mysteries of Freemasonry, showcasing songs that touch upon subject matter that only a Master Mason could craft. A theme running throughout the album that evokes intrigue with a sneak peak behind the curtain of an ancient fraternity. The concepts also delve in to the metaphysical, philosophical and spiritual -- Dissecting corruption of the government and holding a mirror to the ills of society, without losing the tradition of classic boom bap hip hop.

Seasoned MC and producer, Apathy, delivers his 9th full length album as an integral piece of his impressive 25+ year career. Back in 2014, he blessed hip hop heads with "Connecticut Casual", one of his most personal and fan-favorite outings to date. Once again heavily inspired by his hometown surroundings and shore-life encounters, Ap brings to fruition the next chapter in the soundtrack to the New England way of life with this new-age sequel to the original "CT Casual". The majority of the project is painstakingly produced by newcomer beatsmith, Playa Haze, with additional production from Apathy himself, along with contributions from Alcapella, plus Little Vic on both the boards and the mic. Ap's longtime partner-in-rhyme, Celph Titled, appears as one of the few guest features blessing the LP. Sail along this ride through murky waters, mysterious folklore, brash talk, and experience the East Coast lifestyle through the eyes of a Demigod.

Seasoned MC and producer, Apathy, delivers his 9th full length album as an integral piece of his impressive 25+ year career. Back in 2014, he blessed hip hop heads with "Connecticut Casual", one of his most personal and fan-favorite outings to date. Once again heavily inspired by his hometown surroundings and shore-life encounters, Ap brings to fruition the next chapter in the soundtrack to the New England way of life with this new-age sequel to the original "CT Casual". The majority of the project is painstakingly produced by newcomer beatsmith, Playa Haze, with additional production from Apathy himself, along with contributions from Alcapella, plus Little Vic on both the boards and the mic. Ap's longtime partner-in-rhyme, Celph Titled, appears as one of the few guest features blessing the LP. Sail along this ride through murky waters, mysterious folklore, brash talk, and experience the East Coast lifestyle through the eyes of a Demigod.

Described at one point as "the new Eminem", Apathy has gone on to carve out a unique niche all his own. Apathy laid down “No Place Like Chrome” with producer Celph Titled for the UK label Antidote just after signing to Atlantic. Collaborations between the two Army of The Pharaohs and Demigodz members continue to this day. Hot off his first all instrumental outing, “Dive Medicine”, it’s a great time to head back towards the beginning of Apathy’s now storied career with this reissue of “No Place Like Chrome.

Limited Opaque Green Vinyl.Anthony "Ant" Davis is a distinguished hip-hop producer, one-half of the renowned duo Atmosphere, and a founding member of independent record label Rhymesayers Entertainment. His decades-long career of beat-making has also included works for MF DOOM, Brother Ali, Murs, Rav, Sage Francis and a dozen others. Raised in a military family, his nomadic upbringing exposed him to many diverse influences and, coupled with his father's love for collecting records, laid the groundwork for his deep appreciation for all sorts of music. Ant's latest endeavor, Collection of Sounds, is a four-volume series of instrumental works showcasing the breadth and depth of his musical expertise.The Collection of Sounds series offers a window into Ant's creative journey, reflecting his evolution as an artist over the years. Drawing from a vast vault of unreleased material, he's exhumed cross sections of his catalog with surgical precision, organizing songs by sound rather than mere chronology. Volume 1 is at times so intimate as to border on claustrophobia, like the creeping "Bar One" or the haunted twinkling of "I Was Always A Collector" while other tracks are expansive enough to fill entire venues, like the forebodingly airy "4-Track Beyond Beat 1996."Many of the beats on Collection of Sounds: Volume 1 have pockets that are practically begging for rappers to explore. When he first pondered releasing an instrumental series, Ant figured he might want to make the songs more intricate than the ones gave to his rapper collaborators, filling up the space in the mix that would normally be given over to their vocals. "But then it would be jazz, right?" he says with a loud laugh. "And I'm not that." Fitting, as Collection of Sounds is not about forgetting who you are-it's about remembering, reconfiguring and reimagining, all at once; a testament to Ant's artistic integrity.

Cats are always hittin me up saying "When will you drop another Stranger Danger production" and today is that day yo!



Recorded in 2016 and only released on digital at the time, this incredible concept album drags the listener through the crack-littered gutters of skid row, referencing every [non-legal] buzz under the sun. The breaks are typical of that Left Coast, Stranger Danger sound: jazzy horns, funky-b-lines, loads of film samples and drums baby, lots of drums. MC's Amxone the Crooked Tooth Bastard (aka Al Cohol) and Vice the Antihero (aka D.Rugs) are your loyal narrators and drunk drivers for the duration of this psychedelic hip hop trip. I'm reminded of Cypress Hill mixed with The Furry Freak Brothers and a smidgen of Cheech & Chong. Effin love this ish!!!!

In celebration of its 10th anniversary, Rhymesayers created this limited edition 3xLP vinyl package that includes a gatefold jacket with revised art layouts, printed sleeves, a 4-panel insert with full album lyrics, two cream & black marble-colored vinyl, and a UV printed ultra-clear bonus disc vinyl with four exclusive bonus tracks! Whether you're a vinyl enthusiast or simply appreciate great lyricism, this album is a must for any collection. Initially released in 2012, Aesop Rock's sixth studio album Skelethon marked a significant moment in the rapper's career. It had been 5 years since his previous effort None Shall Pass was released, and his former label had since been shuttered. As a result, Skelethon became his first solo release on Rhymesayers Entertainment. Coincidentally, it was also his first album that was entirely self produced. The album's title, a portmanteau of "skeleton" and "telethon," was a metaphor for what felt like a long period of many adversities for Aesop. Throughout the album's 15 tracks, he meticulously exhumes and examines these many skeletons in detail, exploring everything from death to distrust, insecurity and isolation, with moments of humor and hope scattered throughout as well. Some of the many standout tracks from the release include "Zero Dark Thirty," a rapid-fire exploration of displeasure over dizzying drums, "zzz Top," an impressive ode to youthful expression, and "Cycles to Gehenna," with its haunting production and imaginative musings. Upon release, Skelethon was praised for its intricate storytelling that expertly balanced abstract imagery with concrete details, and its immersive production incorporating sample-based beats with dusty pianos, distorted guitars, and psychedelic synths. To this day, the album remains a fan favorite and a critical darling, praised for its poignant introspection and razor-sharp wordplay.

Why you'll love it...
By 2007, Aesop Rock was a decade into a career that had firmly established him as one of rap’s unreplicable auteurs, an artist who could be bitten only insofar as he could be understood. And still, when he sat down to write hisfifth full-length album, None Shall Pass, relics of his earliest work kept popping back up: the sorrow and salvation that can each be found in rigid structures, the horror of the ordinary, the tyranny of routine. Over a series of beats constructed in near-total by himself and Blockhead (El-P furnishes one track and co-produces another; Aes’ friend Rob Sonic handles the digital-gothic “Dark Heart News”), None Shall Pass argues for Aes as the chief correspondent of an American decline so smooth that it often felt comfortable.

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!

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!

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, There Is Only Now gets its inspiration from a near fatal incident involving group members A-Plus, Opio, Tajai, and Phesto early in their careers. Set in 1994, There Is Only Now serves as a bookend to two decades of music since the release of their seminal debut album, ‘93 Til Infinity.

There Is Only Now sees the Souls of Mischief crew members trading bars with a cast of hip-hop and soul luminaries.
Narrated by A Tribe Called Quest member Ali Shaheed Muhammed—as DJ for fictional local Oakland radio station K-NOW—the album’s story unfolds under his all-seeing eye. Busta Rhymes makes an appearance as the story’s villain, Womack, on “Womack’s Lament,” while William Hart of the legendary vocal soul group, The Delfonics, lends his buttery falsetto to the contemplative “Another Side of You.” Snoop Dogg drops knowledge on the situation between Stoney and Womack with an ice cold verse on the title track “There Is Only Now,” and Scarub from Living Legends goes in on “Stone Cold.”

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.

"Some albums act as tickets to travel through time and space, ones where you hear history and venture to worlds familiar, yet undeniably foreign and exciting. RBGxDD, the inaugural release for indie-label Uno Loop Records, is one of these albums. The LP is the beginning of a collaboration between two virtuosos you’ll want to keep an eye (and ear) on: producer Abderraouf B Grissa (Pink Siifu, Abstract Abder on Radio alHara) and drummer/producer Dan Drohan (Nick Hakim, Olden Yolk, Carrtoons, Andrew VanWyngarden of Mgmt).

Think CAN, Makaya McCraven, Sun Ra, or Madlib, and you’ll scratch the surface of what this LP has to offer, what it reminds you of, what it's inspired by. Grissa says of its creation, ""what began as a clear cut, beat-album featuring blistering acoustic drums evolved into a fluid, sonic journey that throws time- signature and structure to the wind."" RBGxDD is an album that expands the notion of how live instrumentation and sampling can continually innovate in unexpectedly catchy ways. The arrangements give space for both dancing and relaxing, with no shortage of finding the groove.

Joining them are artists who have perfected their craft upon arrival. Bobbie Johnston(Ear Yoga Ensemble,élan)delivers guitar riffs so smooth that they somehow blend into the music yet stand out in crispness and quality. Jarrett Gilgore (Heart of the Ghost; Jaimie Branch) takes a scorching approach to the saxophone that rejuvenates us, feeling as if we've been hit with a splash of cold water. Ahmad Kafari's (Sudan Archives, Pink Siifu, Jaw Gems, Chakram) piano playing is a gift, you hear expertise - years of influence by spiritual jazz and classical piano music emerge in a language first developed by Dorothy Ashby and honed by Dilla. Mastering was done by Kelly Hibbert (The Heliocentrics, Knxwledge, Flying Lotus, Karriem Riggins) who sends your ears to another sonic planet.

The LP is physically surrounded by something just as beautiful as the music it houses. We have artist Carol Summers and designer Daniel Rocha to thank for that. LP and artwork was licensed directly from Summers’ family. One of America's foremost printmakers with a career spanning over half a century, Summers has his works found in the Moma Lacma, NGA, and more. Rocha's LP designs are impeccably on cue with the music contained within, making the release look like it could’ve been released in 1973 or 2023. "

50 Cent is one of the most polarizing figures in hip-hop. With the aid of Eminem and Dr. Dre he became one of the world's bestselling rappers and rose to prominence. During his career 50 Cent has sold over 30 million albums worldwide and won several awards, including a Grammy Award, thirteen Billboard Music Awards, six World Music Awards, three American Music Awards and four BET Awards. This compilation is made up of 18 of 50's biggest songs ever.

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.