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A year before Wild Pitch Records properly introduced us to the trio of Queens native Large Professor and Toronto’s Sir Scratch and K-Cut, the soon-to-be-legendary group self-released their own debut single. Dropping on Actual Records, the 12” of ‘Think’ and ‘Atom’ was soon a sought after rarity, with scarce originals still fetching upwards of three figures. On it, they only hint at the greatness to come, while simultaneously showing that they’d already mastered the three-minute rap single – this is concise brilliance with no flab whatsoever. Engineered by the late, esteemed Paul C, ‘Think’ is a study in how to turn well-worn samples into something new. The combination of several James Brown snatches, along with bits lifted from Lyn Collins and Jimmy Castor Bunch, could have been tired and almost parodic by 1989, but instead the group weave something interesting from old fabric. ‘Atom’ is arguably even better, built around a brace of elements from Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s 1967 duet ‘Little Ole Boy, Little Ole Girl’. On it, Large Pro gives the first real hints that he’ll not just be a super-producer, but a committed MC to watch. Mixing threats with humour, positivity with braggadocio, it’s a calling card performance on a track that could have still sat comfortably on 1991’s ‘Breaking Atoms’ album.

‘Try Counting Sheep’ was always a bit of a curio. For reasons best left in the dark, distant days of record label meetings of the early 1990’s, it only ever saw a UK and Europe release, our US cousins having to do without it. A strange decision because, while it doesn’t have the headnod hummability of ‘The Choice is Yours’, the group’s biggest hit, it perfectly captures their ramshackle charm coupled with a catchy hook. While Dres was a characterful and idiosyncratic MC, one thing that often goes uncelebrated about Black Sheep was their production nous. As on their other singles, they mine some familiar tracks but use the samples in original and creative ways. The Original Sheep LP Mix is a likeably meandering track that borrows bass from Jimi Hendrix and different bits of Rare Earth’s ‘(I Know) I’m Losing You’, with a real lightness of touch. As this was a UK release – the original 7” of which now fetches around three figures – the label rafted in UK producer The Principle for a remix. Best known for his work with Profile Records crew Caveman, he brings the same kind of propulsive organ track to the remix that underpins much of their best work. He adds in an instantly familiar drum break from ‘Impeach the President’ to drive a fine re-imagining that is very much of its time. It’s a record that can still summon the fun of a hip-hop club in 1991, and one that’s no longer impossible to find on 7”.

Word...Life is the debut studio album by O.C., released on October 18, 1994, through Wild Pitch Records. O.C. (Omar Credle), a member of the Diggin' in the Crates Crew (D.I.T.C.), was highly regarded for his thoughtful and intricate lyricism. Word...Life is considered a classic East Coast hip-hop album, reflecting the 90s boom-bap sound with its jazzy, soul-infused beats and introspective lyrics.

The production on Word...Life was handled by prominent figures in the New York hip-hop scene, including Buckwild and Lord Finesse, both members of the D.I.T.C. collective. The beats feature a mix of jazz samples, soulful loops, and hard-hitting drums, typical of the 90s East Coast sound.
O.C.’s delivery on the album is laid-back yet razor-sharp, and his rhymes are filled with vivid imagery, social commentary, and personal reflections. The album is celebrated for its lyrical depth, with O.C. blending storytelling and wordplay seamlessly throughout.

"Time's Up" – This is O.C.’s most famous track and a standout from the album. The song addresses the fakeness in the rap industry, calling out rappers who portray false images of success and street life. The production, courtesy of Buckwild, is minimal yet powerful, with its heavy bassline and sparse drums giving space for O.C.’s sharp lyrics.
"Born 2 Live" – A reflective and nostalgic track where O.C. looks back on his youth, reminiscing about childhood experiences and the loss of friends. The beat, produced by Buckwild, is soulful and smooth, underscoring the bittersweet tone of the lyrics.
"Word...Life" – The title track is a declaration of O.C.’s philosophy and approach to hip-hop. His rhymes are thoughtful and reflective, addressing real-life struggles, growth, and staying true to one’s self. The beat features a jazzy piano loop, characteristic of the album’s overall production style.
"O-Zone" – A track that showcases O.C.’s lyrical prowess, where he delivers intricate wordplay and multisyllabic rhymes. The beat is more aggressive, with a harder bassline and sharp drum patterns, complementing the confident tone of O.C.’s verses.
"Ga Head" – This track has a more laid-back vibe, with O.C. discussing the realities of life in the streets, success, and staying grounded. The production is smooth, and the track has a reflective quality similar to “Born 2 Live.”

Authenticity in Hip-Hop: A major theme on the album, especially on tracks like "Time's Up", where O.C. critiques rappers who fabricate stories about their street credibility or success.
Reflection and Growth: O.C. often reflects on his life, past experiences, and the journey of growing up in a tough environment. "Born 2 Live" is one of the best examples of this theme, where he revisits childhood memories and the impact of losing friends.
Intellectual and Philosophical Insights: O.C.’s lyrics often touch on deeper, more philosophical ideas about life, the challenges of success, and the importance of staying true to oneself.

Buckwild, Lord Finesse, and O.C. himself contributed to the production on Word...Life. The beats are built around soulful and jazz-infused samples, and the production maintains a gritty, underground feel. The album’s production fits well within the aesthetic of 90s boom-bap hip-hop but is elevated by the thoughtfulness and precision of the samples and drum programming.

Word...Life was praised for its lyrical depth and intellectual approach to hip-hop, standing out in a year when many classic albums were released. Critics and fans alike admired O.C.’s smooth flow and ability to tackle both personal and broader social issues in his rhymes.
The album did not achieve massive commercial success upon release, but it has since been recognized as a cult classic and a staple of 90s underground hip-hop.
"Time’s Up" in particular became a defining moment in O.C.’s career and has been used in various hip-hop compilations and media over the years.

Word...Life has influenced many artists, particularly in the underground and conscious hip-hop scenes, where lyricism and authenticity are highly valued.
O.C. has continued to be an important figure in hip-hop, and his work on Word...Life is seen as a critical contribution to the legacy of East Coast rap, alongside artists like Nas, Big L, and other members of the D.I.T.C. collective.

Word...Life is a cornerstone of 90s underground hip-hop, showcasing O.C.’s lyrical prowess and commitment to authenticity. The album's introspective themes, sophisticated wordplay, and soulful production make it a classic that continues to resonate with fans of conscious and lyrical rap.

Limited to 3000 copies, the VMP exclusive version of Busta Rhymes' The Coming is pressed on Cloudy Red vinyl at GZ Vinyl as part of our year-long celebration of Hip Hop with Warner Music Group and Hip Hop at 50. The 2LPs will arrive in a double gatefold, tip-on, foil-stamped and numbered jacket. It was mastered by Cicely Balston at Alchemy Mastering at AIR.

The Coming is the debut studio album by American rapper Busta Rhymes, released on March 26, 1996, by Elektra Records. The album marked the beginning of Busta Rhymes’ solo career after his time with the hip-hop group Leaders of the New School and introduced his distinct animated style, explosive energy, and versatile flow to a wider audience. The Coming also helped establish Busta Rhymes as one of the most charismatic figures in hip-hop.

The Coming is a fusion of East Coast hip-hop, featuring a mix of hardcore beats, funk samples, and jazz-influenced production. Busta Rhymes’ distinctive delivery and larger-than-life persona shine throughout the album, with tracks that range from introspective moments to wild, party anthems.
The production was handled by several notable producers, including DJ Scratch, Easy Mo Bee, and Busta Rhymes himself, creating a diverse yet cohesive sound. The beats are aggressive, with deep basslines and heavy drums, reflecting the East Coast sound of the mid-90s.

"Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check" – The album’s lead single, and one of Busta Rhymes’ most iconic songs, "Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check" became a massive hit due to its high-energy performance and infectious hook. The track features Busta’s eccentric personality and rapid-fire delivery over a bouncing, funky beat. It reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped propel Busta Rhymes into the mainstream.
"Everything Remains Raw" – A more hardcore track with aggressive production and Busta Rhymes showcasing his lyrical dexterity. The track is a perfect example of Busta’s ability to balance complex wordplay with his trademark animated flow.
"It's a Party" (featuring Zhane) – A smoother, more laid-back track compared to the album’s more aggressive moments, this song features Zhane on the hook and is a party anthem, highlighting Busta Rhymes' versatility as both a lyricist and entertainer.
"Ill Vibe" (featuring Q-Tip) – This track features Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest, and the two rappers deliver jazzy, smooth verses over a laid-back, boom-bap beat. Their chemistry on this track is undeniable, with Q-Tip’s cool delivery perfectly balancing Busta’s more animated style.
"Flipmode Squad Meets Def Squad" (featuring Jamal, Redman, Lord Have Mercy, and Rampage) – A standout posse cut featuring members of Busta Rhymes' Flipmode Squad and the Def Squad. The track is an aggressive, competitive showcase of lyricism, with each MC bringing their best.

Eccentricity and Braggadocio: Busta Rhymes brings his larger-than-life personality to the forefront, mixing humor, confidence, and intense energy. Tracks like “Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check” feature Busta flexing his skills, while maintaining an entertaining and wild demeanor.
Street Life and Survival: While much of the album is fun and animated, Busta Rhymes also addresses more serious themes, such as growing up in the streets and overcoming adversity.
Party and Celebration: The Coming is also packed with party anthems, which became a staple of Busta Rhymes’ career. Tracks like “It’s a Party” emphasize having a good time, with infectious beats and smooth hooks.

The production on The Coming is diverse but maintains a cohesive sound. DJ Scratch, Easy Mo Bee, The Ummah, and Busta Rhymes himself contributed to the album’s sound, combining elements of funk, jazz, and hardcore hip-hop. The beats are aggressive, with hard drums and funky basslines, complementing Busta Rhymes’ wild vocal delivery.

The Coming received positive reviews from critics, who praised Busta Rhymes for his unique style and infectious energy. It was seen as a strong debut, and Busta’s lyrical prowess and dynamic flow were highly praised.
The album debuted at #6 on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum by the RIAA, establishing Busta Rhymes as a force in the rap industry.
The Coming helped pave the way for Busta Rhymes’ successful solo career and positioned him as one of the most creative and charismatic figures in hip-hop. His animated delivery and ability to seamlessly blend humor, intensity, and skill became his trademark.

The Coming is a powerful debut that showcases Busta Rhymes’ talent and unmatched energy. The album’s mix of party anthems, aggressive lyrics, and eclectic beats provided the blueprint for Busta’s long and successful career. With standout tracks like “Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check” and collaborations with Q-Tip and Redman, The Coming remains a classic in 90s hip-hop, highlighting Busta Rhymes’ ability to merge eccentricity with lyrical skill.

R.I.P. MF DOOM

Underneath his mysterious metal mask, MF DOOM hides the cachet underground legends are made of. After his first group KMD's sophomore album Black Bastards was shelved by Elektra in 1994, and his blood brother Subroc _ one half of the sibling rap duo _ passed away, surviving frontman Zev Love X slowly mutated into the supervillain MC known as MF DOOM, and the rap world is better for it. The 1999 release of Operation: Doomsday marked MF DOOM's official debut, reintroducing a mysterious figure who would soon become one of underground rap's greatest voices. Within its 19 tracks, Operation: Doomsday reveals the confluence of DOOM's tragic past, personal interests and daring creativity. His clever rhymes and remarkable schemes stood out against the landscape, and every sound he touched _ from cartoon theme songs, to `80s soul, to rap classics and more _ got reinterpreted into something brand new and surreal. Decades later, MF DOOM is still celebrated for all facets of his work and influence. In the face of tragedy, DOOM re-infiltrated the rap game on his own terms, and crafted an instant cult classic. Operation: Doomsday stands as a testament to the power of betting on yourself against all odds.

N.E.R.D’s "In Search Of..." is the debut studio album by the American band, originally released in 2001, and reissued in 2002 with a significant change in sound. The band, consisting of Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo (both also known as the production duo The Neptunes), and Shay Haley, crafted a genre-blending project that marked a shift in the way hip-hop, funk, and rock could come together in mainstream music.

"In Search Of..." fuses hip-hop, rock, funk, and R&B into an eclectic sound that was highly innovative at the time.

The album was released in two versions:
2001 Version: Heavily electronic, incorporating synthetic beats and drum machines, typical of The Neptunes' production style.
2002 Version: Re-recorded with live instruments, featuring the band Spymob. This second version has a rawer, more organic rock feel, giving the album a different energy and appeal.

The lyrics on "In Search Of..." are a mix of youthful rebellion, self-reflection, and social commentary. Some recurring themes include:

Personal freedom and identity: The album often explores the idea of breaking free from societal norms and expectations.
Power and politics: Tracks like "Lapdance" offer a cynical take on politicians and authority figures.
Relationships and desire: The album also delves into personal relationships, touching on lust, romance, and heartache.

Notable Tracks:
"Lapdance": A standout track known for its aggressive beat and politically charged lyrics, criticizing corruption and manipulation in politics.
"Rock Star": A high-energy anthem that channels frustration with societal pressures and celebrates nonconformity.
"Provider": One of the more introspective songs on the album, telling the story of a man struggling to provide for his family while making difficult choices.
"Truth or Dare": Featuring Kelis, this track mixes funky beats with provocative lyrics, offering a lighter, playful side to the album.
4. The Concept Behind the Album Title:
The album's title, "In Search Of...", reflects the band's desire to explore new musical and thematic territories. It’s also a nod to the 1970s American TV show In Search Of..., which investigated mysterious phenomena, paralleling N.E.R.D.'s exploration of uncharted musical landscapes and personal identity.

"In Search Of..." was groundbreaking in its approach to combining genres, breaking the mold of what was expected from a hip-hop project. Pharrell, Chad, and Shay’s ability to blend live instrumentation with hip-hop production created a blueprint for future artists to mix rock and urban sounds. The album became a touchstone for genre-bending artists and a precursor to Pharrell’s later solo work.

Although "In Search Of..." did not achieve massive commercial success upon its initial release, it was critically acclaimed and has since gained a cult following. The innovative sound and unique blend of genres helped establish N.E.R.D. as pioneers in the music world, influencing a wide range of artists across various genres.

N.E.R.D.'s "In Search Of..." remains a seminal album that pushed the boundaries of genre and sound. Its blend of live instrumentation with hip-hop, rock, and funk created a distinctive sonic identity that resonated with listeners seeking something outside the norm. The album not only showcased the diverse musical talents of Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo, and Shay Haley but also laid the groundwork for the genre-fusion movement that would follow in the years to come.

Madvillainy is the debut and only studio album by Madvillain, a collaboration between legendary rapper MF DOOM (Daniel Dumile) and acclaimed producer Madlib (Otis Jackson Jr.), released on March 23, 2004 by Stones Throw Records. The album is often hailed as a masterpiece of underground hip-hop, characterized by its unconventional structure, eclectic production, and MF DOOM’s intricate, surreal lyrics.

Madvillainy was a highly anticipated project in the underground hip-hop scene, bringing together two of its most respected figures. MF DOOM, known for his complex wordplay and villainous persona, and Madlib, celebrated for his experimental and sample-heavy production, combined to create a dense, atmospheric album.
The project was recorded over several years, with Madlib working on beats while traveling and MF DOOM crafting his lyrics with a stream-of-consciousness style.
The album has a lo-fi aesthetic, featuring short, fragmented tracks, many of which do not follow traditional song structures like verses and hooks. Instead, Madvillainy is more of a collage, with some tracks acting as interludes or musical sketches.

Madlib’s production is eclectic and layered, drawing from jazz, soul, Brazilian music, obscure soundtracks, and 1970s psychedelia, creating a moody and experimental backdrop for MF DOOM’s vocals.
The album’s beats are sample-heavy, often gritty, and feature unorthodox tempos and time signatures. Madlib also uses interludes and vocal samples from obscure sources, giving the album a cinematic, almost comic book-like feel.
MF DOOM delivers his signature abstract and multi-syllabic rhymes, filled with internal rhyme schemes, pop culture references, and complex wordplay. His delivery is intentionally offbeat, which complements the nontraditional structure of the production.

Lyrically, Madvillainy is a blend of surrealism, humor, and complex storytelling. MF DOOM’s persona as the masked supervillain is ever-present, with much of the album reflecting his mischievous, sardonic view of the world.
His lyrics often appear cryptic, with layers of meaning that reward close listening. He plays with words in ways that defy conventional hip-hop norms, eschewing clear narratives in favor of dense, puzzle-like rhymes.
Themes in the album include betrayal, paranoia, and the villain’s perspective, often narrated from a detached, almost nihilistic point of view. However, DOOM’s approach is often playful, filled with irony and wit.

Key Tracks and Highlights:
"Accordion" – A minimalist, standout track where MF DOOM delivers one of his most well-known verses over a sparse accordion loop. The track captures DOOM’s style perfectly, with cryptic, tightly-packed bars and Madlib’s minimalist approach.
"Meat Grinder" – A haunting, jazz-infused beat serves as the backdrop for MF DOOM’s dense wordplay, as he raps with a stream-of-consciousness flow, dropping surreal imagery and twisted humor.
"America’s Most Blunted" (featuring Quasimoto) – A playful, weed-themed track featuring Madlib’s alter ego, Quasimoto. The track is both funky and chaotic, with vocal samples interspersed between DOOM and Quasimoto’s verses.
"Curls" – One of the shorter tracks, with a smooth, almost nostalgic beat. DOOM’s verses are filled with detailed, vivid descriptions, encapsulating his ability to turn everyday observations into poetic rhymes.
"All Caps" – Perhaps the most iconic track on the album, known for its booming beat and DOOM’s punchy, comic book-inspired verses. The title refers to MF DOOM’s alias, urging fans to spell it in all capital letters, reinforcing his larger-than-life persona.
"Rhinestone Cowboy" – The album’s closer, featuring a soulful, downtempo beat and some of DOOM’s most introspective and reflective lyrics. It’s a contemplative end to an otherwise chaotic and fragmented album.

Madvillainy is a nonlinear album, with many of the tracks flowing directly into each other without clear transitions. It’s constructed more like a sonic collage, making the album feel like a continuous, abstract narrative rather than a collection of separate songs.
The album contains numerous interludes and brief tracks, some less than a minute long, but all contributing to the overall mood and atmosphere. Tracks like "Sickfit" and "Do Not Fire!" are instrumental breaks that give Madlib’s production room to shine.

Upon release, Madvillainy was met with widespread critical acclaim. It was praised for its innovation, lyrical complexity, and cohesive production, with critics noting its departure from conventional hip-hop formulas.
It quickly became regarded as one of the most important and influential underground hip-hop albums of all time, with its influence extending beyond just hip-hop into broader experimental music.
MF DOOM’s and Madlib’s artistic approach on Madvillainy helped solidify their reputations as avant-garde artists, unafraid to push the boundaries of the genre.
The album is frequently included in lists of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time and is particularly beloved by fans of alternative and underground hip-hop. It has been noted for its lasting influence on the sound and style of future hip-hop artists, especially in the abstract, lo-fi, and experimental spaces.
Impact on MF DOOM and Madlib's Careers:
MF DOOM further cemented his legacy as one of hip-hop’s most enigmatic and talented lyricists. His use of the supervillain persona, combined with his intricate rhyming style, made him a cult figure in the genre.
Madlib also gained widespread recognition for his unique production style, which merged elements of hip-hop, jazz, and experimental music. His ability to create deeply layered and textured beats without sacrificing their lo-fi charm became a hallmark of his production style.
Madvillainy’s success paved the way for other projects in the underground scene and inspired a new wave of artists who saw hip-hop as a medium for abstract, avant-garde expression.

Madvillainy continues to be revered as a benchmark in underground hip-hop. Its influence can be heard in the work of countless artists, from Earl Sweatshirt and Tyler, The Creator to more experimental producers and MCs who were inspired by Madlib's and MF DOOM’s fearless approach to crafting an album.
The mystique surrounding MF DOOM, especially after his untimely death in 2020, only added to the album’s legendary status, with Madvillainy often considered his definitive work.
The album’s blend of complex lyricism, unorthodox production, and nontraditional structure helped redefine what could be done in the hip-hop genre, making it a timeless work of art.
In summary, Madvillainy is a landmark album in hip-hop, pushing the boundaries of both lyricism and production. Its influence is far-reaching, and its status as one of the greatest underground albums remains unchallenged. The partnership between MF DOOM and Madlib resulted in a project that is as dense, surreal, and captivating as it is groundbreaking.

Recently, a mysterious album titled Jesus turned up on the popular music site Bandcamp, uploaded by an artist calling himself “b”. Soon, the LP was discovered to be the latest work from enigmatic L.A. rapper Blu, and within hours, it was the talk of the blogosphere. The album was soon removed, but now it’s back, this time in physical form. New World Color is proud to present the latest lo-fi masterpiece from one of hip-hop’s most intriguing figures. Officially the debut for alter-ego “b”, Jesus is sure to satisfy the cult-like fanbase that’s been steadily growing around the artist most famously known as Blu ... feat. Madlib, Planet Asia, Alchemist, Hezekiah!

Underneath his mysterious metal mask, MF DOOM hides the cachetunderground legends are made of. After his first group KMD's sophomorealbum Black Bastards was shelved by Elektra in 1994, and his bloodbrother Subroc _ one half of the sibling rap duo _ passed away,surviving frontman Zev Love X slowly mutated into the supervillain MCknown as MF DOOM, and the rap world is better for it.The 1999 release of Operation: Doomsday marked MF DOOM's officialdebut, reintroducing a mysterious figure who would soon become one ofunderground rap's greatest voices. Within its 19 tracks, Operation:Doomsday reveals the confluence of DOOM's tragic past, personalinterests and daring creativity. His clever rhymes and remarkableschemes stood out against the landscape, and every sound he touched _from cartoon theme songs, to `80s soul, to rap classics and more _ gotreinterpreted into something brand new and surreal.Decades later, MF DOOM is still celebrated for all facets of his work andinfluence. In the face of tragedy, DOOM re-infiltrated the rap game on hisown terms, and crafted an instant cult classic. Operation: Doomsdaystands as a testament to the power of betting on yourself against all odds.

Madvillainy is the debut and only studio album by Madvillain, a collaboration between legendary rapper MF DOOM (Daniel Dumile) and acclaimed producer Madlib (Otis Jackson Jr.), released on March 23, 2004 by Stones Throw Records. The album is often hailed as a masterpiece of underground hip-hop, characterized by its unconventional structure, eclectic production, and MF DOOM’s intricate, surreal lyrics.

Madvillainy was a highly anticipated project in the underground hip-hop scene, bringing together two of its most respected figures. MF DOOM, known for his complex wordplay and villainous persona, and Madlib, celebrated for his experimental and sample-heavy production, combined to create a dense, atmospheric album.
The project was recorded over several years, with Madlib working on beats while traveling and MF DOOM crafting his lyrics with a stream-of-consciousness style.
The album has a lo-fi aesthetic, featuring short, fragmented tracks, many of which do not follow traditional song structures like verses and hooks. Instead, Madvillainy is more of a collage, with some tracks acting as interludes or musical sketches.

Madlib’s production is eclectic and layered, drawing from jazz, soul, Brazilian music, obscure soundtracks, and 1970s psychedelia, creating a moody and experimental backdrop for MF DOOM’s vocals.
The album’s beats are sample-heavy, often gritty, and feature unorthodox tempos and time signatures. Madlib also uses interludes and vocal samples from obscure sources, giving the album a cinematic, almost comic book-like feel.
MF DOOM delivers his signature abstract and multi-syllabic rhymes, filled with internal rhyme schemes, pop culture references, and complex wordplay. His delivery is intentionally offbeat, which complements the nontraditional structure of the production.

Lyrically, Madvillainy is a blend of surrealism, humor, and complex storytelling. MF DOOM’s persona as the masked supervillain is ever-present, with much of the album reflecting his mischievous, sardonic view of the world.
His lyrics often appear cryptic, with layers of meaning that reward close listening. He plays with words in ways that defy conventional hip-hop norms, eschewing clear narratives in favor of dense, puzzle-like rhymes.
Themes in the album include betrayal, paranoia, and the villain’s perspective, often narrated from a detached, almost nihilistic point of view. However, DOOM’s approach is often playful, filled with irony and wit.

Key Tracks and Highlights:
"Accordion" – A minimalist, standout track where MF DOOM delivers one of his most well-known verses over a sparse accordion loop. The track captures DOOM’s style perfectly, with cryptic, tightly-packed bars and Madlib’s minimalist approach.
"Meat Grinder" – A haunting, jazz-infused beat serves as the backdrop for MF DOOM’s dense wordplay, as he raps with a stream-of-consciousness flow, dropping surreal imagery and twisted humor.
"America’s Most Blunted" (featuring Quasimoto) – A playful, weed-themed track featuring Madlib’s alter ego, Quasimoto. The track is both funky and chaotic, with vocal samples interspersed between DOOM and Quasimoto’s verses.
"Curls" – One of the shorter tracks, with a smooth, almost nostalgic beat. DOOM’s verses are filled with detailed, vivid descriptions, encapsulating his ability to turn everyday observations into poetic rhymes.
"All Caps" – Perhaps the most iconic track on the album, known for its booming beat and DOOM’s punchy, comic book-inspired verses. The title refers to MF DOOM’s alias, urging fans to spell it in all capital letters, reinforcing his larger-than-life persona.
"Rhinestone Cowboy" – The album’s closer, featuring a soulful, downtempo beat and some of DOOM’s most introspective and reflective lyrics. It’s a contemplative end to an otherwise chaotic and fragmented album.

Madvillainy is a nonlinear album, with many of the tracks flowing directly into each other without clear transitions. It’s constructed more like a sonic collage, making the album feel like a continuous, abstract narrative rather than a collection of separate songs.
The album contains numerous interludes and brief tracks, some less than a minute long, but all contributing to the overall mood and atmosphere. Tracks like "Sickfit" and "Do Not Fire!" are instrumental breaks that give Madlib’s production room to shine.

Upon release, Madvillainy was met with widespread critical acclaim. It was praised for its innovation, lyrical complexity, and cohesive production, with critics noting its departure from conventional hip-hop formulas.
It quickly became regarded as one of the most important and influential underground hip-hop albums of all time, with its influence extending beyond just hip-hop into broader experimental music.
MF DOOM’s and Madlib’s artistic approach on Madvillainy helped solidify their reputations as avant-garde artists, unafraid to push the boundaries of the genre.
The album is frequently included in lists of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time and is particularly beloved by fans of alternative and underground hip-hop. It has been noted for its lasting influence on the sound and style of future hip-hop artists, especially in the abstract, lo-fi, and experimental spaces.
Impact on MF DOOM and Madlib's Careers:
MF DOOM further cemented his legacy as one of hip-hop’s most enigmatic and talented lyricists. His use of the supervillain persona, combined with his intricate rhyming style, made him a cult figure in the genre.
Madlib also gained widespread recognition for his unique production style, which merged elements of hip-hop, jazz, and experimental music. His ability to create deeply layered and textured beats without sacrificing their lo-fi charm became a hallmark of his production style.
Madvillainy’s success paved the way for other projects in the underground scene and inspired a new wave of artists who saw hip-hop as a medium for abstract, avant-garde expression.

Madvillainy continues to be revered as a benchmark in underground hip-hop. Its influence can be heard in the work of countless artists, from Earl Sweatshirt and Tyler, The Creator to more experimental producers and MCs who were inspired by Madlib's and MF DOOM’s fearless approach to crafting an album.
The mystique surrounding MF DOOM, especially after his untimely death in 2020, only added to the album’s legendary status, with Madvillainy often considered his definitive work.
The album’s blend of complex lyricism, unorthodox production, and nontraditional structure helped redefine what could be done in the hip-hop genre, making it a timeless work of art.
In summary, Madvillainy is a landmark album in hip-hop, pushing the boundaries of both lyricism and production. Its influence is far-reaching, and its status as one of the greatest underground albums remains unchallenged. The partnership between MF DOOM and Madlib resulted in a project that is as dense, surreal, and captivating as it is groundbreaking.

Czarface, Wu-Tang founding MC Inspectah Deck and veteran Boston duo 7L & Esoteric, isn’t concerned with the glitz and the B.S. that modern consumer culture is pushing. And neither are the group’s fans.

In 2013, the trio appeared relatively unassumingly with their self-titled debut, which was chiefly produced by DJ 7L and included guests ranging from Ghostface Killah and Cappadonna to Vinnie Paz, Action Bronson and Roc Marciano. The soon-to-be acclaimed group found out quickly that there was a groundswell of hip-hop fanatics thirsting for the lunchpail, lyrics-above-all-else rap they fell in love with in the ‘90s. Several pressings of the album on CD, 2-LP and even cassette later, they are back and ready to up the ante.

This time around the group is the same, but it’s fair to say that all three men have stepped up their game. “We knew how we felt about the last album, but weren’t sure how it would be received by listeners,” explains MC Esoteric. “But people really responded to it, even more than we had hoped. That gave us the confidence to really spread our wings and let loose on this one. The chemistry is even tighter this time around. We know exactly what lanes we are cruising in and what weight class we are fighting in for Round 2.”

Inspectah Deck adds, “Czarface is like the Danger Room for the X-Men, I can use all my weapons on there. When I’m in Wu-Tang, I have to come a certain way because we have a certain style of fan, when I’m here doing the Czarface projects, it allows me to actually be an MC, it allows me to actually just spit…I love that. I love when i can just spit freely and just be an MC.”

The fighting analogy – whether drawn from pugilism or ‘80s wrestling, both which figure into Every Hero Needs A Villain – is an apt one, considering the unrelenting lyrical attacks that Deck and Esoteric unleash on track after track, each trying to one-up the previous verse. Best of all, it is friendly camaraderie, based around a loose theme of renegade mutant MC talents running wild. DJ 7L explains, “All three of us are influenced by comics, sci-fi movies, TV, wrestling. Czarface encompasses all of that, and it helps with the visuals as well.”

On the production side, 7L shows yet again – as he did with the group’s debut – that he remains a formidable yet underappreciated musical force, constantly providing hard, funky and alternatingly ominous backdrops for the assembled MCs to use as lyrical luge paths.

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.

Originally released in 2017, Loyle Carner’s album Yesterday’s Gone will be released on picture disc for Record Store Day 2023.Loyle chose photos of him and his beloved poodle Ringo for the front and reverse of the disc: “People say I should have a rottweiler”, says Loyle, “But I like poodles”. Nominated for the 2017 Mercury prize, Yesterday’s Gone is a certified classic of UK hip-hop which continues to win new fans as it’s remarkable streaming figures prove.

Bluestaeb's evolution from a beatmaker to a producer is his sophmore album “Everything is Always a Process”.

He is one of the key figures of a new generation of up and coming HipHop beatmakers, who have emancipated from genre thinking and instead merge old school aesthetics with a new school attitude and organic instrumentation.

Everything Is Always A Process re-iterates Bluestaeb's overall approach to life (and thinking), but also has direct reference to the making of the album itself, which began with moving from Berlin to Paris in 2015 in the search of new influences and a new creative environment.
Created between 2015 and early 2018, EIAAP embodies the process of this transition - as well as collaboration with instrumentalists and vocalists from all over the world and recording in different studios in Paris, London & Berlin.

"Meeting all those musicians and trying out new ways of producing by using real analogue synths, Rhodes, drums and percussion etc. made it possible to overcome the creative boundaries of a home studio with just a midi keyboard" / Bluestaeb

Influenced by Madlib's "Shades Of Blue" and trained in African drum techniques such as Djembé and Daruka, Bluestaeb had been crafting his own beats since his teenage years and gradually found his sound identity through experimenting with HipHop and Jazz – first to be heard by a broader music community in 2013, when he released his debut album "1991 Extraterrestrial" (Radio Juicy). Since then the prolific young artist has released numerous solo and collaboration projects ("B.L.U.E. Friday" in 2015 and „Sidekicks“ with S. Fidelity in 2016). In 2016, he produced collaborative album "LIT - Lost In Translation“ with rapper JuJu Rogers, a keen manifesto against racism, xenophobia and the rise of anti-heroes such as Donald Trump.
Today, Bluestaeb lives and works in Paris and Berlin and is set to release his third solo album “Everything Is Always a Process”, a smooth Neo Soul-induced epic featuring artists such as Noah Slee, Harleighblu and Melodiesinfonie.

Jeremiah Jae (aka Black Daffi) is an experimental hip-hop artist born and raised on the south side of Chicago. He is a visual artist, producer, emcee and founding member of Black Jungle Squad, a music collective consisting of close friends and family. Early works by Jae dating back to 2007, display his unique style and approach to crafting his own version of “hip-hop”. The genre is one of many foundations the artist uses to communicate his range of styles as shown on previous self-released albums, compilations and collaborations (Holy Smoke, Oliver The 2nd, L’Orange, CohenBeats, PBDY), as well as praiseworthy offerings on Brainfeeder and Warp Records. With his newest solo album DAFFI, Jae expands on his production and speaks in the persona of his alter ego to express a darker side. The 16-track self-produced album was recorded in both Chicago and his Los Angeles home studio The Black Light. Contributions by fellow Black Jungle Squad brethren Oliver The 2nd (“Backpacks”), The Koreatown Oddity (“Figure Skating”), Busdriver (“In Da Zone”), Karenbe (“All Me”), and his legendary band leader and musician father Robert Irving III (“Nefertiti”) help carry the album to exalted heights and somber lows. It is with much merit for anyone to experience such a wide range of emotions, yet return to an even heightened state of artistry with such artistic beauty and grace. Jeremiah Jae’s DAFFI will be released with Los Angeles artist crew HIT+RUN assisting with the glorious double vinyl offering (plus 16-page full-color art book featuring stunning supplementary graphic work by Jae) with collectible one-of-a-kind screenprinted jackets. All of the double 12” vinyl of this modern classic include five bonus tracks (“Bells”, “Field”, “Harpoon”, “Know You” ft. Trent Truce, and a Jae remix of “Streetwatchers”) not available on the digital release.

Cold Busted returns to familiar label artist Poldoore to release the Belgium-based producer’s album, The Day Off. Poldoore’s sound is about good vibes, creating warm atmospheres that blend funk, soul, lounge, and reggae with punchy drum breaks. The Day Off also features some talented guests, including the mysterious Maverick, distinguished emcee Awon and DMC 2012 Team World Champion turntablist DJ Damented (of The Mixfitz), emcee duo The 49ers, American blues singer Bodhilynn, and trumpeter Will Magid. There’s plenty of highlights on the release: “Morning Glory” with its rocksteady beat, “Natural High” and its psychedelic vibe, “Unconditional” with its beefed up Motown-like feel, “Call It A Day”’s dreamy funk affair, and the reminiscing rhymes of Awon, a figure in the new emerging ‘jazz hop’ scene, flow rhythmically while DJ Damented’s scratch skills add a next level vocal chop to the beat on “Sweet Memories”. Deciding to include this one in the crate should be easy, much like the cut’s vibe. The Day Off is full of sonic sunshine, exactly the kind of weather fit for enjoying what little time there is for leisure and much appreciated in today’s music climate. Give this one a spin.

Snoop Dogg is a legendary personality. He burst on to the scene in the early 90’s and stole the show with his appearances on Dr. Dre’s classic album, The Chronic which cemented him as a prominent figure within the halls of hip hop. Since then he has gone on to release multiple platinum albums, star in major motion pictures, and even host a TV show with the one and only, Martha Stewart! 220 was an EP that was released by Snoop in 2018 as a follow up to Neva Left.

On 2007’s “Nostalgia,” a memorable track off Marco Polo’s album, Port Authority, chemistry between Polo and guest MC Masta Ace is easily heard and felt. What was a quick one-off collab was not only a reminder of Masta Ace’s timelessness, but it was also the impetus for a larger, more fleshed out concept between the Toronto beatsmith Polo and the legendary MC. The pair since formed a duo and the result is a powerfully evenhanded project, A Breukelen Story.

In 2018 we find hip-hop’s storied journeyman, Masta Ace, at the helm of another sharp, tightly wrought project. He’s traversed hip-hop’s ever-changing landscape for nearly three decades, navigating different eras while expanding his already extensive catalogue. From his formative work with the legendary Juice Crew, to a bombastically renowned stint with Delicious Vinyl, it’s hard to find a more humble master of ceremony than Ace—even harder is finding another figure whose work is equally embraced on both coasts, East and West, as well as abroad.

Despite amassing 7 solo albums, 5 collaborative projects and countless additional one-offs, Ace is still trying to show and prove, still moving the needle forward for himself, his fans, and his career. Says Ace: “My goal on A Breukelen Story was to do more lyrical stuff. I’ve done a lot of concept songs, and a lot of topical records, but I made a point to put a couple straight rhyming joints on here to remind dudes I can still do this.”

“I met Masta Ace for the first time while interning at Cutting Room studios in Manhattan,” says Marco Polo, longtime Canadian producer whose exploration of samples and boom-bap aesthetics certainly suite his moniker. “Ace came in for a session in the studio years and I introduced myself and gave him a beat CD.” While Polo was a young intern on the rise, he quickly worked the situation to his advantage, eventually producing for giants he grew up admiring— Kool G Rap, Large Professor, Scarface, Sean Price, Black Thought, Talib Kweli, to name a few.

Polo is not new to forming quality collabs with others in the art form, with notable stints on the aforementioned Port Authority as well as it’s follow up, PA2, and others like 2016’s work with young MC, A-F-R-O, fittingly titled A-F-R-O Polo. Yet out of Polo’s previous collaborative efforts, this one stands out and is a bit more special, according to Polo: “Ace does not like to write random songs, its usually conceptual and topical,” he says. “But we do have some straight spitting joints on A Breukelen Story which is what makes this album possibly the most diverse of all of my collaborative albums.”

The random meeting and a beat CD resultantly birthed A Breukelen Story, a collaborative release between the venerable veteran and an incredibly detailed and prolific producer. 14 tracks with pronounced guests (Pharoahe Monch on “The Fight Song” for example) all strewn together through Ace’s signature skits and interludes that frame the music and while telling the story of Polo manifesting his vision of being an NY transplant via Toronto while pursuing his dream of being a renowned record producer. Other guests range from younger MCs like Marlon Craft to spry OGs like Lil Fame (of M.O.P.), to Smif ‘n’ Wessun, to Styles P (of the Lox) Polo’s pastiche style boom-bap is the drum-driven centerpiece that perfectly couches Masta Ace’s thoughtful stanzas and vivid storytelling for this effusive Brooklyn narrative. – David Ma

It’s been more than forty years since Kool Herc starting throwing parties in the South Bronx, and so you could forgive the casual fan for thinking that nearly every permutation of hip-hop has already been explored. But KEITH, the new album from the iconic rapper Kool Keith and the master producer Psycho Les (due out July 12 on Mello Music Group) argues just the opposite: that what’s absurdly funny can also be sinister and strange, that the form can still be broken in new and radical ways. Keith is, of course, one of the pivotal figures in the history of hip-hop, and has been one of the genre’s most singular writers and original voices. The Bronx native was a founding member of Ultramagnetic MCs, whose debut album, 1988’s Critical Beatdown, served as a blueprint for both internationally famous acts like Public Enemy and for the entire future of underground rap. But Keith’s solo work, which began in earnest in the mid-’90s with Dr. Octagonecologyst (released under a pseudonym, naturally) is even stranger, more experimental, more brilliant. He will enjamb seemingly unrelated ideas and images against one another with a poet’s love for language and a pornographer’s knack for camp. Subsequent records like 1997’s Sex Style, ‘99’s Black Elvis/Lost In Space, and 2000’s Matthew were hailed as instant classics; Keith has spent the last several years crafting expertly written records that are rewardingly bizarre, unlike anything else on the rap landscape –– and KEITH is a crown jewel in that excellent late-period run.

Psycho Les is a founding member of the Beatnuts, who were first notable as the only Latino members of the Native Tongues, the collective of groups that pushed hip-hop to its avant edges in the early ‘90s. They were staples throughout that decade, both with their own albums and via the production they did for artists as disparate as Fat Joe and Common –– as well as for their work pioneering the remix. The Beatnuts’ music had in its foreground cramped house parties and reckless debauchery; Les developed the unique ability as a producer to merge that abandon with technically rigorous sample manipulation and unique arrangements.

If you’re worried that two artists who have been working at this for so long would be tempted to rest on their laurels or make music that’s predictable, disabuse yourself of that notion. Keith opens the album with a tangent about Foot Locker –– not about buying shoes, but about lusting after the footwear chain’s employees, with their tight, referee-striped shirts and form-fitting black pants. It only gets stranger from there. His Lamborghinis aren’t just green, they’re pistachio green; his head is perfectly round like Charlie Brown’s; his handkerchief is worth your per diem. And as a vocalist, Keith is still as slippery and innovative as ever: see the way he slides right into an unorthodox flow at the beginning of “Slave Owner,” only to thin out his writing to allow for a string of insults from the titular slave owner.

KEITH is a laser-focused, remarkably vital work from two artists entering the fourth decades of their respective careers. If nothing else, take as an example a couple of the guests who appear here: there’s Jeru the Damaja, who represents the true-school ethos of New York in the early ‘90s, but there’s also Paul Wall –– he rides shotgun on “Foot Locker” –– who broke through more than a decade after Jeru, as the woozy, laconic Houston scene of the mid-2000s briefly stole the national spotlight. Both serve as ideal foils for Keith: they’re somehow tethered to Earth as we understand it, while he’s free to orbit around them, and us, in a path that only he will ever understand.

Termanology has been creating classic streetwise boom-bap hip-hop since the late 90s. One of the most prevalent figures of
the worldwide underground rap scene, Termanology has earned widespread critical praise and garnered a cult-like following
through his music, and has performed with acclaimed legends such as Kool G. Rap, Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah, and DJ
Premier, and is a frequent collaborator with his ‘Showoff Radio’ (on Sirius XM Radio’s Shade 45) co-host DJ Statik Selektah. He
has released over 30 highly-regarded albums across various formats, while his own imprint ST Records has produced records
for fellow underground-denizens like Shortfyuz, Ea$y Money, and Superstah Snuk.
Dame Grease, an NYC native, first made waves when he produced several songs on The Lox's Bad Boy Records debut album,
Money, Power & Respect, including the hit “We'll Always Love Big Poppa” featuring Puff Daddy and Faith Evans. He followed
that with work on Mase's quadruple platinum album Harlem World and on DMX's debut It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, on which
he produced thirteen of its nineteen tracks. The 2000s saw Dame establishing his own label, Vacant Lot, and making hits
for the likes of LL Cool J, Slick Rick, Ol' Dirty Bastard, T.I., Cam’Ron, Juelz Santana, Curren$y, French Montana, Riff Raff
and many more.
The two legends have collaborated on a full length album, Set in Stone, hitting the streets on Sept 13th 2019.
"Term and myself hooked up on the "Its Quiet" record (from Term’s More Politics album) a couple years back & that lead us to
creating Set In Stone. We wanted to make records that our fan base would respect, and have enough of a worldwide vibe for
the universe to appreciate," explains Dame Grease.
“The chemistry was just great. So one day while we were both on tour with The Beatnuts, Dame gave me the first batch of
beats and I began writing the album” says Termanology. “It was such a pleasure working with Dame- he makes so many
different styles of beats, I was never put in a box. I was able to just go wherever the beat took me. I really wanted to try
something different with this album. This is my most diverse project. Every song is different. I got boom bap joints, lyrical joints,
R&B records, political records, even a song about fighting alcoholism. There is something for everyone on this project.”

New LP from the famous french beatmaker, available on black vinyl and a limited green vinyl edition 2LP. With Soul Food II, Kognitif remains consistent with his previous release, and delivers once again, a high-powered Soul-Electro album. The colorful, dancing universe of this beat-maker is filled with Hip-Hop, World Music and Jazz, mingled with Funky Trip-Hop beats. This is food for the soul. Kognitif is a self-taught musician and a Trip-Hop/Abstract Hip-hop producer.His music incorporates various influences and offers a plentiful Soul Groovy Funky Beats buffet. After Soul Food , his successful 3rd album, Soul Food II comes as the second volume of a great collection with the same ingredients, but a different recipee. Kognitif is now a major figure in the "à la française" Tip-Hop, in France and abroad.

Producer, beatmaker and inter dimensional boombap specialist Percy Filth returns with a brand-new project VIBRANIUM DELUXE. Utilizing unique ultra-swung out glitchy drums and his trademark outer space sonics Percy occupies a custom built lane that services traditional rap purists ,die hard boombap fans and everything in and around the spectrum of instrumental hiphop.

The title track is an all out wonky sci-fi adventure and features probably the most fitting figure King Kashmere to get busy over the intergalactic funk, the project also features Detroit heavy hitter Guilty Simpson and one half of Camp-Lo the unmistakable Geechi Sueude (a personal bucket list feature for Percy).

Closer to home Wundrop & Kemastry (of the High Focus CMPD) are featured on the disturbing the peace anti-establishment "Open Up" and Bristol natives, Bill Next of Split Prophets and DJ Rogue on Rogue Troopers and Finally to bring things home theres long time collabrators Kosyne, Redbeard, Booda French & Gen Uchiha on the chapter closing "Bon Appetit". Redbeard, Kosyne, Booda French and Gen Uchiha on the chapter closing "Bon Apetit"

Vibranium Deluxe is an all out boombap glitch assault of bangers on the ears and not one to miss.

Sir James and King Johnny are the leading figures of the mysterious crew: L'Entourloop. These elders, fed on the sound of sound systems, vinyl culture and lulled by the epic dialogues of the cinema of yesteryear, concoct a fine fusion of Reggae and Hip Hop. These beatmakers like to use scratches and samples, all blended with a vintage french touch that makes us travel from France to Kingston, London and New York! The two unstoppable seniors come back this fall to hit ever stronger with a new EP called "Golden Nuggets" in collaboration with the Jamaican Skarra Mucci aka the "Dancehall President". "Golden Nuggets" is a 6-piece-EP in which we find all the ingredients that make the magic of the sound of Entourloop and Skarra Mucci.

La Fam Ill is a multi genre, alt Hip Hop album, featuring a heavy dose of classic old school beats that weave their way from bouncy dub & upbeat guitar led funk beats, to modern electro infused hip hop underpinned with dirty synth lines. With a different producer on every track there is a plethora of musical styles all tied together with the T’s. Too Many T’s showcase buoyant playful tongue in cheek lyrics teaching us not to take life too seriously with their notorious back-to-back double-time raps, whilst sitting comfortably alongside much deeper and more reflective song writing. This is an album that travels the world both figuratively, and literally. La Fam Ill’s journeys reflect those of the band’s protagonists, Leon and Ross, floating effortlessly through a forest of stories both lived and witnessed – the effects of climate change, class warfare, and the difficulties of maintaining friendships as we grow up. Each track has its own special twist created by the colossal lineup of French Hiphop artists including: Atili, ASM, Chill Bump, Chinese Man, Djar One, Form, Hippocampe Fou, La Fine Equipe, MB14, Proleter, Pumpkin & VinS Da Cuero, Smokey Joe & The Kid and Yoshi Di Original.

R.A. The Rugged Man is one of the most fascinating figures in hip-hop history. His career spans decades, and defies simple narratives. The Rugged Man has been an up-and-coming star, an industry outcast banished and forgotten, an underground cult hero, an independent success story, and an influential master of the art form.

Now, R.A. The Rugged Man is back with ""All My Heroes Are Dead"", a brand new album that stands as his best work to date. “So many of the greats are gone, and the legends who made it out alive are cast aside,” R.A. explains. “Society left our heroes and their culture for dead. We have to dig that greatness out of its grave, and bring it back with an angry vengeance.” "All My Heroes Are Dead" features an all-star lineup of hip-hop heavyweights, including Atmosphere, Chuck D, Ghostface Killah, Immortal Technique, Vinnie Paz, Ice T, M.O.P., Kool G Rap, Brand Nubian, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Chris Rivers, Onyx, Inspectah Deck, A-F-R-O, Masta Killa, and more.

Repress! R.A. The Rugged Man is one of the most fascinating figures in hip-hop history. His career spans decades, and defies simple narratives. The Rugged Man has been an up-and-coming star, an industry outcast banished and forgotten, an underground cult hero, an independent success story, and an influential master of the art form.

Now, R.A. The Rugged Man is back with ""All My Heroes Are Dead"", a brand new album that stands as his best work to date. “So many of the greats are gone, and the legends who made it out alive are cast aside,” R.A. explains. “Society left our heroes and their culture for dead. We have to dig that greatness out of its grave, and bring it back with an angry vengeance.” "All My Heroes Are Dead" features an all-star lineup of hip-hop heavyweights, including Atmosphere, Chuck D, Ghostface Killah, Immortal Technique, Vinnie Paz, Ice T, M.O.P., Kool G Rap, Brand Nubian, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Chris Rivers, Onyx, Inspectah Deck, A-F-R-O, Masta Killa, and more.

Last chance, last pressing.

Cleo Sol - Rose in the Dark is the debut studio album by British singer-songwriter Cleo Sol, released on March 27, 2020. The album was produced by Inflo, who is also a key figure in the Sault collective. Rose in the Dark established Cleo Sol as a powerful voice in neo-soul and modern R&B, offering a soothing and reflective collection of songs that explore themes of love, self-discovery, and resilience.

The album blends soul, R&B, jazz, and folk influences, marked by warm, organic instrumentation with a retro feel, featuring lush strings, gentle piano, and smooth rhythms. Cleo Sol's voice is central to the album's sound, with its soft, emotional delivery giving the tracks an intimate and reflective tone.

Lyrically, Rose in the Dark centers on themes of love, personal growth, self-worth, and healing. The songs are largely introspective, with Cleo Sol reflecting on relationships and personal challenges, often with a focus on finding inner strength. There’s a sense of vulnerability and emotional honesty throughout the album, which resonates deeply with listeners.

Key Tracks:
"Rose in the Dark" – The title track, a soulful and introspective song about navigating love and finding inner peace.
"Why Don’t You" – A standout track that combines a classic soul sound with a modern twist, addressing themes of self-worth and being true to oneself.
"When I’m in Your Arms" – A tender, love-infused track that showcases Cleo Sol’s ability to capture the warmth and comfort of love through her soulful voice and minimalist production.
"Her Light" – A reflective track about empowerment and self-awareness, encouraging self-love and growth.
Critical Reception: Rose in the Dark was met with widespread acclaim from critics who praised Cleo Sol's soothing voice, the album's timeless sound, and the introspective lyricism. Many noted the calming and healing quality of the album, especially during its release in 2020, a year marked by uncertainty and upheaval. The minimalist production allowed Cleo Sol's vocals and lyrical content to shine, making the album a standout in contemporary soul music.

The album was produced by Inflo, who has been instrumental in shaping the sound of both Cleo Sol’s solo work and the output of the Sault collective. Rose in the Dark shares the same organic, soulful production style found in Sault’s albums, though it feels more intimate and personal due to its focus on Cleo Sol's own journey.

Rose in the Dark has been hailed as a modern soul classic, with its focus on healing, love, and emotional clarity resonating with a wide audience. It’s a highly personal work that highlights Cleo Sol’s talent not only as a vocalist but also as a thoughtful and introspective songwriter.

This album set the stage for her later work, including Mother (2021), where she continued exploring deeply personal and emotional themes

The Bay Area Legend DJ.Fresh links up with the New Orleans Legend Curren$y for a heralded Tonite Show edition. DJ. Fresh's The Tonite Show has featured some of rap's most notable figures such as Trae The Truth, Mozzy, Raekwon the Chef and more. Currren$y is a well known figure in the underground hip-hop scene collaborating with today's hottest producers and staying consistent with one of the biggest solo catalogs to date. DJ.Fresh & Curren$y began collaborating on the 2009 (Wiz Khalifa/Curren$y) joint album and the magic just kept progressing from there. The chemistry of DJ.Fresh's bass heavy tracks and Curren$y's deep, syrupy vocal styling made this pairing one for the record books. Coming from (2) different sides on the map, each bring their respected audience to the party which makes this project even more special. Fans from the Coast of California to the Shores of the Bayou have been waiting for this collab and it is now a reality. Welcome to The Tonite Show featuring Curren$y

Strictly limited edition of 300 copies on CD.

Next up on "90's Tapes" are the demo 4-track recordings of Yusef Afloat's "Foreign Objects" and "Hard Times".

Known as one half of legendary Westcoast group The Nonce (along with Nouka Basstype aka Sach), MC/producer/musician Yusef Afloat produced tracks for Aceyalone, Supherb, and Figures Of Speech. He also appeared on the original 1994 release of Project Blowed. On May 21, 2000, Yusef "Afloat" Muhammad was found dying on the side of Freeway 110 in Los Angeles, he was 28 years old. The cause of his death is still unknown.

"When I listen to Yusef now, I'm reminded of what I felt then and that is he knew his time on Earth was limited. The tone was new, stern authoritative on his views and expressions of Hip Hop. I knew he was talking to me and each one of our peers. The tapes have been safe for 20 years thanks to Dee Skee for maintaining archives at Weightless Audio. The implications that I knew someone who may have said things because their span was going to be cut. I'm thinking he saw clearer than we could. I felt he wanted to be a guide in the discovery of what kind of Man I would live to be and what kind of Man listening to this music would turn out to be? I don't know if I had inclinations of my time being so short what I would have been spending it doing and he spent his saying these weighted lines. I thought it abrasive at first but I understand now why he said what he said and how with style! I miss him everyday and I'm so proud that Yusef's music can finally be showcased to the world in the beautiful way it is deserving. I'm blown back looking at the pictures, so many sat on that couch Yusef sits Ganjah K, Meen Green. What great sessions… no magical sessions. Preparing to play this record we would probably roll something and get comfortable on that couch… well… drop the needle! Push play!"

Sach - January 2021

"Foreign Objects / Hard Times" is available in limited editions on 2LP, MC and CD as well as digitally.

Strictly limited edition of 300 copies on colored vinyl in gatefold sleeve.

Next up on "90's Tapes" are the demo 4-track recordings of Yusef Afloat's "Foreign Objects" and "Hard Times".

Known as one half of legendary Westcoast group The Nonce (along with Nouka Basstype aka Sach), MC/producer/musician Yusef Afloat produced tracks for Aceyalone, Supherb, and Figures Of Speech. He also appeared on the original 1994 release of Project Blowed. On May 21, 2000, Yusef "Afloat" Muhammad was found dying on the side of Freeway 110 in Los Angeles, he was 28 years old. The cause of his death is still unknown.

"When I listen to Yusef now, I'm reminded of what I felt then and that is he knew his time on Earth was limited. The tone was new, stern authoritative on his views and expressions of Hip Hop. I knew he was talking to me and each one of our peers. The tapes have been safe for 20 years thanks to Dee Skee for maintaining archives at Weightless Audio. The implications that I knew someone who may have said things because their span was going to be cut. I'm thinking he saw clearer than we could. I felt he wanted to be a guide in the discovery of what kind of Man I would live to be and what kind of Man listening to this music would turn out to be? I don't know if I had inclinations of my time being so short what I would have been spending it doing and he spent his saying these weighted lines. I thought it abrasive at first but I understand now why he said what he said and how with style! I miss him everyday and I'm so proud that Yusef's music can finally be showcased to the world in the beautiful way it is deserving. I'm blown back looking at the pictures, so many sat on that couch Yusef sits Ganjah K, Meen Green. What great sessions… no magical sessions. Preparing to play this record we would probably roll something and get comfortable on that couch… well… drop the needle! Push play!"

Sach - January 2021

"Foreign Objects / Hard Times" is available in limited editions on 2LP, MC and CD as well as digitally.

Strictly limited edition of 100 copies on cassette.

Next up on "90's Tapes" are the demo 4-track recordings of Yusef Afloat's "Foreign Objects" and "Hard Times".

Known as one half of legendary Westcoast group The Nonce (along with Nouka Basstype aka Sach), MC/producer/musician Yusef Afloat produced tracks for Aceyalone, Supherb, and Figures Of Speech. He also appeared on the original 1994 release of Project Blowed. On May 21, 2000, Yusef "Afloat" Muhammad was found dying on the side of Freeway 110 in Los Angeles, he was 28 years old. The cause of his death is still unknown.

"When I listen to Yusef now, I'm reminded of what I felt then and that is he knew his time on Earth was limited. The tone was new, stern authoritative on his views and expressions of Hip Hop. I knew he was talking to me and each one of our peers. The tapes have been safe for 20 years thanks to Dee Skee for maintaining archives at Weightless Audio. The implications that I knew someone who may have said things because their span was going to be cut. I'm thinking he saw clearer than we could. I felt he wanted to be a guide in the discovery of what kind of Man I would live to be and what kind of Man listening to this music would turn out to be? I don't know if I had inclinations of my time being so short what I would have been spending it doing and he spent his saying these weighted lines. I thought it abrasive at first but I understand now why he said what he said and how with style! I miss him everyday and I'm so proud that Yusef's music can finally be showcased to the world in the beautiful way it is deserving. I'm blown back looking at the pictures, so many sat on that couch Yusef sits Ganjah K, Meen Green. What great sessions… no magical sessions. Preparing to play this record we would probably roll something and get comfortable on that couch… well… drop the needle! Push play!"

Sach - January 2021

"Foreign Objects / Hard Times" is available in limited editions on 2LP, MC and CD as well as digitally.

All day from the UK to The Bay…” Configaration Records proudly presents Jahi and Configa’s debut collaborative project, ‘Forward Future’, on vinyl, in conjunction with Mosta Records.

Public Enemy’s/Enemy Radio’s seasoned MC Jahi and highly acclaimed veteran British Producer Configa, come together (the duo were originally known under the guise of ‘GodFiga’), bringing forth with ‘Forward Future’ their own special blend of Golden-Age infused hip-hop for the 21st Century. The album is an unapologetic articulation of a Janus-like (god-figure) collaboration, foregrounding a desire and a capacity to simultaneously reference the past whilst mapping out the future. ‘Forward Future’ embodies an essential understanding of hip-hop’s fundamental need to continually look backwards in order to continuously move forwards. More than just a retrospective nod, the project is one of re-gilding Golden-Age hip-hop with an evolving millennial consciousness and awareness- “The future where I do my best work, yet preservation and respect”.

With purely Configa and Jahi featuring, listeners can look forward to an unadulterated expression of a shared version and vision of what hip-hop was, is and can be. At the heart of a rich musical menagerie of quick-tempo head-nodders, smooth soulful sounds, live instrumentation and afrobeats, lies Configa’s unwavering commitment to a boom-bap par excellence and Jahi’s deep lyrical content. Impeccable production provides the perfect backdrop to, and vehicle for, ingenious wordplay and reflective truths. From the upbeat gratitude expressed in ‘Medaase’, through to the meditative mantra for mental well-being that is ‘Mindfulness’ and the infectious optimism of ‘Fly’, ‘Forward Future’ is a visionary roadmap presenting the best of what conscious hip-hop has- and always had- to offer going forward into the future.

Born in Ukraine and raised in Brooklyn, Your Old Droog has become a key figure in the modern hip hop landscape. Fresh off a series of acclaimed projects, the master author is back with the new album "Space Bar".

Evoking a tavern located deep within the realms of a top secret galaxy, the collection features appearances by Lil Ugly Mane, billy woods, Tha God Fahim, and Nickelus F. Despite Droog's prolific output, each of his releases are meticulously crafted, and "Space Bar" is no exception.

"This album was conceptualized around the same time as 'It Wasn’t Even Close'," YOD explains. "Throughout the years, it has evolved and taken on many different forms and shapes." With beats by 88 Keys, Nicholas Craven, SadhuGold, and Elaquent, "Space Bar" finds Your Old Droog serving up intoxicating lyricism over spaced-out production, exploring unseen terrains.

Born in Ukraine and raised in Brooklyn, Your Old Droog has become a key figure in the modern hip hop landscape. Fresh off a series of acclaimed projects, the master author is back with the new album "Space Bar".

Evoking a tavern located deep within the realms of a top secret galaxy, the collection features appearances by Lil Ugly Mane, billy woods, Tha God Fahim, and Nickelus F. Despite Droog's prolific output, each of his releases are meticulously crafted, and "Space Bar" is no exception.

"This album was conceptualized around the same time as 'It Wasn’t Even Close'," YOD explains. "Throughout the years, it has evolved and taken on many different forms and shapes." With beats by 88 Keys, Nicholas Craven, SadhuGold, and Elaquent, "Space Bar" finds Your Old Droog serving up intoxicating lyricism over spaced-out production, exploring unseen terrains.

Sealed copy includes action figure (Loose leg / Fixable)!

Born in Ukraine and raised in Brooklyn, Your Old Droog has become a key figure in the modern hip hop landscape. Fresh off a series of acclaimed projects, the master author is back with the new album Space Bar. Evoking a tavern located deep within the realms of a top secret galaxy, the collection features appearances by Lil Ugly Mane, billy woods, Tha God Fahim, and Nickelus F. Despite Droog's prolific output, each of his releases are meticulously crafted, and Space Bar is no exception. "This album was conceptualized around the same time as 'It Wasn’t Even Close'," YOD explains. "Throughout the years, it has evolved and taken on many different forms and shapes." With beats by 88 Keys, Nicholas Craven, SadhuGold, and Elaquent, Space Bar finds Your Old Droog serving up intoxicating lyricism over spaced-out production, exploring unseen terrains.

If it's really a post-genre world, why does everything sound the same? The two halves of Tampa rap duo They Hate Change_Dre (he/him) and Vonne (they/them)_first came together in front of the apartment complex where they both lived as teens. Dre had just moved down from Rochester, NY; Vonne was trying to sell him bad weed. It was clear from the start that the two listen to music differently from most people_they're sonic omnivores, obsessive deep-divers, lovers of rare and radical sounds. Starting as kids trawling the internet for tracks, they've been collecting music from around the world and across the decades, amassing a shared sonic knowledge so deep that "encyclopedic" barely begins to cover it _ not just the East Coast hip-hop that Dre grew up on, or the hyperlocal bass-music variants like jook (the Gulf Coast's twerkably raunchy answer to house) and crank (think "Miami bass meets Nola bounce"), but also drum `n' bass, Chicago footwork, post-punk, prog (they're, like, seriously into prog), grime, krautrock, emo, and basically any genre on the map. Once they graduated to DJs on the Tampa DIY scene _ which includes everything from punk rock house parties to the black "teen nights" that pop up in rec centers and ballrooms _ they figured out how to pull all these disparate sounds together into a cohesive style. More importantly, they figured out how to make it something people will actually move to. When they made the transition to rapping and making beats, they brought that pleasure-seeking approach to sonic experimentation with them. "With this album, Vonne says, "it's really like, okay, you know how you talk about the internet breaking down borders? Here's what that actually sounds like. It's not just a hip-hop record with a couple more weird sounds. You want homegrown DIY? This is a record that was written, produced, and recorded in a 150-squarefoot bedroom from the least cool city you could think of." Finally, New is what a truly post-genre musical landscape is supposed to be: building deep connections that transcend outdated distinctions between them, spilling over with the joy of exploration and possibility, and daring other artists to think broader, go deeper, take bigger risks. Let the rest of them keep playing by the old rules_They Hate Change will keep changing the game.

If it's really a post-genre world, why does everything sound the same? The two halves of Tampa rap duo They Hate Change_Dre (he/him) and Vonne (they/them)_first came together in front of the apartment complex where they both lived as teens. Dre had just moved down from Rochester, NY; Vonne was trying to sell him bad weed. It was clear from the start that the two listen to music differently from most people_they're sonic omnivores, obsessive deep-divers, lovers of rare and radical sounds. Starting as kids trawling the internet for tracks, they've been collecting music from around the world and across the decades, amassing a shared sonic knowledge so deep that "encyclopedic" barely begins to cover it _ not just the East Coast hip-hop that Dre grew up on, or the hyperlocal bass-music variants like jook (the Gulf Coast's twerkably raunchy answer to house) and crank (think "Miami bass meets Nola bounce"), but also drum `n' bass, Chicago footwork, post-punk, prog (they're, like, seriously into prog), grime, krautrock, emo, and basically any genre on the map. Once they graduated to DJs on the Tampa DIY scene _ which includes everything from punk rock house parties to the black "teen nights" that pop up in rec centers and ballrooms _ they figured out how to pull all these disparate sounds together into a cohesive style. More importantly, they figured out how to make it something people will actually move to. When they made the transition to rapping and making beats, they brought that pleasure-seeking approach to sonic experimentation with them. "With this album, Vonne says, "it's really like, okay, you know how you talk about the internet breaking down borders? Here's what that actually sounds like. It's not just a hip-hop record with a couple more weird sounds. You want homegrown DIY? This is a record that was written, produced, and recorded in a 150-squarefoot bedroom from the least cool city you could think of." Finally, New is what a truly post-genre musical landscape is supposed to be: building deep connections that transcend outdated distinctions between them, spilling over with the joy of exploration and possibility, and daring other artists to think broader, go deeper, take bigger risks. Let the rest of them keep playing by the old rules_They Hate Change will keep changing the game.

If it's really a post-genre world, why does everything sound the same? The two halves of Tampa rap duo They Hate Change_Dre (he/him) and Vonne (they/them)_first came together in front of the apartment complex where they both lived as teens. Dre had just moved down from Rochester, NY; Vonne was trying to sell him bad weed. It was clear from the start that the two listen to music differently from most people_they're sonic omnivores, obsessive deep-divers, lovers of rare and radical sounds. Starting as kids trawling the internet for tracks, they've been collecting music from around the world and across the decades, amassing a shared sonic knowledge so deep that "encyclopedic" barely begins to cover it _ not just the East Coast hip-hop that Dre grew up on, or the hyperlocal bass-music variants like jook (the Gulf Coast's twerkably raunchy answer to house) and crank (think "Miami bass meets Nola bounce"), but also drum `n' bass, Chicago footwork, post-punk, prog (they're, like, seriously into prog), grime, krautrock, emo, and basically any genre on the map. Once they graduated to DJs on the Tampa DIY scene _ which includes everything from punk rock house parties to the black "teen nights" that pop up in rec centers and ballrooms _ they figured out how to pull all these disparate sounds together into a cohesive style. More importantly, they figured out how to make it something people will actually move to. When they made the transition to rapping and making beats, they brought that pleasure-seeking approach to sonic experimentation with them. "With this album, Vonne says, "it's really like, okay, you know how you talk about the internet breaking down borders? Here's what that actually sounds like. It's not just a hip-hop record with a couple more weird sounds. You want homegrown DIY? This is a record that was written, produced, and recorded in a 150-squarefoot bedroom from the least cool city you could think of." Finally, New is what a truly post-genre musical landscape is supposed to be: building deep connections that transcend outdated distinctions between them, spilling over with the joy of exploration and possibility, and daring other artists to think broader, go deeper, take bigger risks. Let the rest of them keep playing by the old rules_They Hate Change will keep changing the game.

Gold with Black Splatter Vinyl.It's hard to believe it's taken this long for a proper retrospective of legendary Los Angeles collective CVE. "We Represent Billions" is a crucial portrait of one of the West Coast's most low-key influential crews - a hydra-like collective of rappers, producers, designers and engineers who were key members of the Good Life Cafe's open mic scene, going on to inspire artists like Jurassic 5, Kendrick Lamar amongst many other. Initially called Chillin Villain Posse before morphing into Chillin Villain Empire in the late 1980s, they eventually centered around the core trio of Riddlore, NgaFsh and Tray-Loc. The crew were years ahead of their time, self-producing music without samples and pioneering a stream of consciousness lyrics that still sound fresh and innovative. CVE were self-sufficient and motivated from the beginning, named "Chillin Villains" because that's how they were perceived by white America.This social motivation was channeled into their groundbreaking performances at Good Life Cafe, the South Central session that evolved into Project Blowed and later on came to influence LA club night 'Low End Theory'. It was chronicled by Ava Duvernay, herself an MC in short-lived duo Figures of Speech, in her "This is the Life" documentary, where she interviewed CVE alongside Jurassic 5, Freestyle Fellowship, Abstract Rude and Busdriver.On "We Represent Billions", we're treated to a snapshot of the CVE sound from 1993-2003, their most prolific era. The retrospective collects music from the handful of albums the crew released on their own Afterlife Recordz label (mostly as limited edition CD-R's) plus many previously unreleased tracks and highlights their untethered eccentric creativity and sheer breadth of influence. Whether twisting twitchy West Coast electro on 'All Over Da Globe' or free associating over horror synths and foley sounds on 'Made in Chillz Ville' there's a sense that their music was just too future for its time.Assembled from heaving industrial sam...

It's hard to believe it's taken this long for a proper retrospective of legendary Los Angeles collective CVE. "We Represent Billions" is a crucial portrait of one of the West Coast's most low-key influential crews - a hydra-like collective of rappers, producers, designers and engineers who were key members of the Good Life Cafe's open mic scene, going on to inspire artists like Jurassic 5, Kendrick Lamar amongst many other. Initially called Chillin Villain Posse before morphing into Chillin Villain Empire in the late 1980s, they eventually centered around the core trio of Riddlore, NgaFsh and Tray-Loc. The crew were years ahead of their time, self-producing music without samples and pioneering a stream of consciousness lyrics that still sound fresh and innovative. CVE were self-sufficient and motivated from the beginning, named "Chillin Villains" because that's how they were perceived by white America.This social motivation was channeled into their groundbreaking performances at Good Life Cafe, the South Central session that evolved into Project Blowed and later on came to influence LA club night 'Low End Theory'. It was chronicled by Ava Duvernay, herself an MC in short-lived duo Figures of Speech, in her "This is the Life" documentary, where she interviewed CVE alongside Jurassic 5, Freestyle Fellowship, Abstract Rude and Busdriver.On "We Represent Billions", we're treated to a snapshot of the CVE sound from 1993-2003, their most prolific era. The retrospective collects music from the handful of albums the crew released on their own Afterlife Recordz label (mostly as limited edition CD-R's) plus many previously unreleased tracks and highlights their untethered eccentric creativity and sheer breadth of influence. Whether twisting twitchy West Coast electro on 'All Over Da Globe' or free associating over horror synths and foley sounds on 'Made in Chillz Ville' there's a sense that their music was just too future for its time.Assembled from heaving industrial samples and graced by back-and-forth...

Memphis-raised V.C.R, born Veronica Camille Ratliff, is the LA-based violinist, gospel singer, and multidisciplinary Cinematic Soul artist using music and literature as her primary tools of uplift. The debut album "The Chronicles of a Caterpillar: The Egg" follows V through fantasy storybook-style song narratives that equally touch upon Lord Of The Rings as it does Minnie Ripperton and Tchaikovsky. Veronica's book “The Creative Black Woman’s Playbook” was written in 2019 as a primer to her album, with the purpose of celebrating black femininity, honoring black heritage and history, and empowering creative black women internationally. The album releases April 29th 2022 via Leaving Records All Genre, and features vocal contributions from Pink Siifu plus production from Sudan Archives and Lastnamedavid.

"The Egg is dedicated to every human being who has ever felt alone. Every light being trapped in darkness. I see you, I feel you, I am you. Don't let your light be dimmed, for if you look up there is love all around you. Rise and rise till lambs become lions. I love you" -V.C.R

The Japan / Cold Busted connection tightens with the release of Timeless, a collaborative album from two rising figures from the Land of the Rising Sun. Buzzing in from Chiba, Bugseed has been making a name for himself in hip hop circles with finely constructed beats and clever sample riffs, inspiring a multitude of releases filtering across the globe. The Nagasaki-based DJ Motora is owner of Team Ken Records and 'genreless' DJ since 1997. Together they've concocted Timeless, a densely constructed 12 track album that's filled with gritty hip hop beats and evocative city-dwelling soundscapes. The album opens dramatically with "Vibrant," spookily laying down lost-on-the-way electric piano and a tense string line before the most crucial of beats kicks in. "Ideal" grabs another flavor with its off-kilter jazz club ambiance and snapping, minimal rhythm. More ragged beats come into play on "Hefty," accompanied by rolling stand-up bass and dreamily tinkling keys. "Cultivation" delves deep into the abstract, stereo effects and crunching percussion push and pull, giving the cut a unique rumbling and tumbling feel. Those are just some highlights — overall, this album transcends the usual 'beat record' with productions that seem to reminisce with a futuristic flair. In other words, these vibes are Timeless.

The coming together of two titans in their respective countries, LA beatmaker Jansport J and Japan-based DJ BudaMunk span the east/west divide on their collaborative LP BudaSport. Across 15 tracks, underlying beats work as adhesive as languages spar and interlock in the foreground of this release packed with linguistic intrigue. Guests also feature heavily with Issugi, 5lack and Daichi Yamamoto representing a fraction of the Japanese talent, while Thurz, Devin Morrison and Blu among others contribute verses from the US.

Jansport J is a prolific figure in the Los Angeles underground, and alongside several solo LPs and collaborative albums, he also recently contributed production to Nas’ King Disease 2. BudaMonk is also no stranger to US shores with his records regularly being distributed by Delicious Vinyl and Fat Beats. P-vine records is delighted to present their joint work as a limited edition LP release with a unique Japanese obi-strip attached.

Certainly one of the core figures in the beat scene of Sofia, Bulgaria, Bojidar Vasilev – Trombobby combines his long-time passion, the trombone, with peculiar beats for a truly contemporary sound. Studied jazz trombone at Conservatorium van Amsterdam, he’s also part of acts like Southwick, Dayo, and Android Ethics. Trombobby has played with and produced for numerous musicians in Bulgaria’s thriving soul, r&b, and instrumental hip hop scenes and also teaches music production at Sound Ninja Music Academy.

Born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, TromBobby’s collaborator on Pause vol 1 – Jermaine Holmes began embarking on his musical career at the age of four as a member of his grandfather’s choir of Mount Calvary Baptist church. Jermaine performs as lead singer for Pete Rock and The Soul Brothers, and appears alongside artists like Nicole Bus, Keyon Harrold and many others on albums and stages around the world. Previously he had become an active member of the group The Vanguard since 2012 with popular R&B/Soul artist D’Angelo.

4 years ago Bojidar Vasilev embarked on a journey that’s both solo and packed with friendships. Indebted to Dilla, Knxwledge, and a whole galaxy of influential beat makers, the the fresh-out-of-Amsterdam-studies musician released his debut album Run.

With more than 100k streams on all major DSPs, the world saw TromBobby solidifying his place in the production scene and another example for the rise of the producers as lead artists. While he was already a household name in the Bulgarian r&b / soul and instrumental scene, it was Run that put TromBobby on the path of self-discovery and growth as a musician.

TromBobby’s new approach is a juxtaposition to the Forest Gump inspiration behind Run (2018) and while running did save Forest before, this new record channels his last 4 years of experience and learnings into a more laid-back and grounded destination.

On his new EP, Pause VOL.1, Bojidar, now 27, expands his attitude to beat music with neo-soul, jazz and r&b elements, going beyond sampling and with focus on live instrumentation and vocals as a production element. All that designed to create complex multi-layered music with vast emotional horizons. The take-everything-from-life-and-don’t-stop-for-a-second energy is now transformed. Still there, but somehow matured due to the realization that you really need to focus on certain things in order to achieve your goals.

It is that focus that translated into TromBobby’s ever-growing desire to play more and more instruments. Something that’s not only evident in the album’s artwork and credits, but when experiencing his music live.

On the new record TromBobby manifests the 4 years of exploration and love for collaboration with friends and same-energy people. That leads him to crossing paths with Jermaine Holmes who is an active member of the group The Vanguard since 2012 with artist D’Angelo. Their 2 collaborative tracks “longing” and “tony’s Lament” don’t only cross borders, but genres and sensations.

A big leap forward to TromBobby is utilizing his singing abilities on “box OF Chocolates” and “sunday”. Being fearless is that Run energy that translates into Pause VOL.1 and what’s going to carry on in VOL.2.

High Focus Records are excited to present 'Ever Since', the brand new album from prolific Brighton-based producer Mr Slipz and the newest member of the HF family, Australian rapper Nelson Dialect - A landmark release and signing for High Focus with Nelson being the first international signing on the label.

UK listeners might have first heard Nelson collaborating with Verbz & Mr Slipz on the song ‘Hope’ from their acclaimed LP ‘Radio Waves’ released on High Focus in 2020. Nelson has a cult following in his own right in Australia, and previously released music on the legendary U.S label Fat Beats to great acclaim.

Now teaming up with one of the most exciting and respected UK producers, Nelson & Mr Slipz deliver ‘Ever Since’. A statement piece by two artists with well over a decade spent on their craft which sounds as urgent and refreshing as if it were their first time releasing music. The album’s title is a reference to the endless quest for a timeless sound, reflecting the creative partnerships which spark from a seemingly forever existing thread of music.

The album features a slew of impressive guest verses including label mates Vitamin G & Verbz on the emphatic ‘Oxford Scholars’. Two legends Jehst & Confucius MC combine on ‘Smooth Ride’. Bronx pioneer & D.I.T.C legend A.G delivers a show stopping verse on ‘Trembling the Marrow’. There are hypnotic singing performances by Indira May on ‘First Date’ & ‘Open Book’ as well as Hiatus Kaiyote back up vocalist Jace XL on the soul stirring anthem “Figure Out What’s Right”. U.S rappers SickInTheHead & Cazeaux O.S.L.O round out the impressive guest list on the album with their inspired verses.

Your Old Droog season is upon us. The prolific Brooklyn artist has cemented his place as one of the most important figures in the modern hip-hop landscape, delivering a steady stream of acclaimed projects. Now, YOD is at it again, unveiling a physical release of his recent collection Yodney Dangerfield. With beats by Nicholas Craven, SadhuGold, Lee Scott, and Jonwayne, the album is another extraordinary body of work from the talented Ukrainian wordsmith. And yet, the music industry still gives him no respect. This edition includes the physical-only bonus track “Metal Face Medley”, a Your Old Droog live performance montage honoring dearly departed rap god MF Doom.

High Focus Records are excited to present 'Ever Since', the brand new album from prolific Brighton-based producer Mr Slipz and the newest member of the HF family, Australian rapper Nelson Dialect - A landmark release and signing for High Focus with Nelson being the first international signing on the label.

UK listeners might have first heard Nelson collaborating with Verbz & Mr Slipz on the song ‘Hope’ from their acclaimed LP ‘Radio Waves’ released on High Focus in 2020. Nelson has a cult following in his own right in Australia, and previously released music on the legendary U.S label Fat Beats to great acclaim.

Now teaming up with one of the most exciting and respected UK producers, Nelson & Mr Slipz deliver ‘Ever Since’. A statement piece by two artists with well over a decade spent on their craft which sounds as urgent and refreshing as if it were their first time releasing music. The album’s title is a reference to the endless quest for a timeless sound, reflecting the creative partnerships which spark from a seemingly forever existing thread of music.

The album features a slew of impressive guest verses including label mates Vitamin G & Verbz on the emphatic ‘Oxford Scholars’. Two legends Jehst & Confucius MC combine on ‘Smooth Ride’. Bronx pioneer & D.I.T.C legend A.G delivers a show stopping verse on ‘Trembling the Marrow’. There are hypnotic singing performances by Indira May on ‘First Date’ & ‘Open Book’ as well as Hiatus Kaiyote back up vocalist Jace XL on the soul stirring anthem “Figure Out What’s Right”. U.S rappers SickInTheHead & Cazeaux O.S.L.O round out the impressive guest list on the album with their inspired verses.

High Focus Records are excited to present 'Ever Since', the brand new album from prolific Brighton-based producer Mr Slipz and the newest member of the HF family, Australian rapper Nelson Dialect - A landmark release and signing for High Focus with Nelson being the first international signing on the label.

UK listeners might have first heard Nelson collaborating with Verbz & Mr Slipz on the song ‘Hope’ from their acclaimed LP ‘Radio Waves’ released on High Focus in 2020. Nelson has a cult following in his own right in Australia, and previously released music on the legendary U.S label Fat Beats to great acclaim.

Now teaming up with one of the most exciting and respected UK producers, Nelson & Mr Slipz deliver ‘Ever Since’. A statement piece by two artists with well over a decade spent on their craft which sounds as urgent and refreshing as if it were their first time releasing music. The album’s title is a reference to the endless quest for a timeless sound, reflecting the creative partnerships which spark from a seemingly forever existing thread of music.

The album features a slew of impressive guest verses including label mates Vitamin G & Verbz on the emphatic ‘Oxford Scholars’. Two legends Jehst & Confucius MC combine on ‘Smooth Ride’. Bronx pioneer & D.I.T.C legend A.G delivers a show stopping verse on ‘Trembling the Marrow’. There are hypnotic singing performances by Indira May on ‘First Date’ & ‘Open Book’ as well as Hiatus Kaiyote back up vocalist Jace XL on the soul stirring anthem “Figure Out What’s Right”. U.S rappers SickInTheHead & Cazeaux O.S.L.O round out the impressive guest list on the album with their inspired verses.

Colored Vinyl with a couple of light scuffs. Cover signed by the band on the back. Copy n° 061/300

Over the past five years, Kenny Beats has emerged as one of the most important figures in rap. He's produced career-defining music for the likes of NBA Youngboy, FKA twigs, Dominic Fike, Rico Nasty, Freddie Gibbs and Vince Staples, made absurdist Christian rap with comedian Zack Fox and recorded agit-punk for Bristol-based Idles. He's also redefined what it means to be a producer today, guiding a generation of home beatmakers through his various tutorial livestreams and the episodic production series "The Cave." "louie" is Kenny's very first release as a solo artist. He draws from the rich, soul-soaked tradition of outliers like J.Dilla, Madlib and D "Angelo to explore themes of his own family, childhood and upbringing for the first time. "louie" is a tribute to Kenny's relationship with music as a whole, and with an ensemble of collaborators and musicians ranging from Mac De Marco to Thundercat, offers a new kind of producer album that adds whole new layers to his own still growing voice.

Ugly Mac Beer, a key figure in the French breakbeat scene, founder of Beatsqueeze Records and author of the critically acclaimed albums Modonut 1 & 2 alongside Mister Modo, is back with a new solo album "The Valley of the Kings", between lofi hip-hop, abstract hip-hop or even broken beat, which will be released on January 27, 2023.

A digger/beatmaker effort par excellence, very inspired by the 90s productions of masters of the genre such as Madlib, DJ Shadow or RZA, the concept of this instrumental album with oriental sounds is based on the search for the sample of "THE" ultimate and perfectly heady loop, which can be listen to over and over again.

The eponymous title track which opens the album sets the tone with its powerful lofi hip-hop drum on a big cinematic and orchestral sound which evokes an Egyptian peplum of the 60s taking place in the heart of the mythical valley of the kings! Another highlight of the album, the track "Les chœurs perdus" resonates like a children's tale, with its bewitching voices and magical songs set to a catchy beat that evokes the Egyptian goddesses and the mystery of the pyramids. To compose the powerful and rather dark beat of "The New Flame", another essential piece of the album, the beatmaker drew his inspiration from New York hip-hop from the 90s but also from "crime film" soundtracks from the 70s. The sublime interludes “Fortune & Gloire”, “Years of Despare” and “Ambitious Dream” take us from one track to another, each one more powerful than the other.

In a very cinematographic mood, Ugly Mac Beer succeeds in developing its "old film about Egypt" album concept from start to finish and thus manages to tell a real story that takes us on a journey back in pyramids time.

Your Old Droog season is upon us. The prolific Brooklyn artist has cemented his place as one of the most important figures in the modern hip-hop landscape, delivering a steady stream of acclaimed projects. Now, YOD is at it again, unveiling a physical release of his recent collection Yodney Dangerfield. With beats by Nicholas Craven, SadhuGold, Lee Scott, and Jonwayne, the album is another extraordinary body of work from the talented Ukrainian wordsmith. And yet, the music industry still gives him no respect. This edition includes the physical-only bonus track “Metal Face Medley”, a Your Old Droog live performance montage honoring dearly departed rap god MF Doom.

Atlanta native Tha God Fahim has emerged as a leading figure in hip-hop’s thriving modern underground, captivating listeners with masterful street soliloquies and timeless production. Uninterested in the flashy trappings of the modern rap game, Fahim has channelled his energy into building a phenomenal catalog, blending soulful aesthetics with hard-edged rhymes. Now, the talented emcee is taking a break from his dizzying mixtape schedule to unveil the new studio album "Iron Bull".

Highlighting the power of relentless determination, the collection finds Tha God Fahim stronger than ever, elevating beyond adversity while remaining true to self. "Iron Bull" includes guest appearances by Mach-Hommy, Your Old Droog, and Jay NiCE, along with hypnotic production by Nicholas Craven, SadhuGold, Camoflauge Monk, and Fahim himself.

You know, when you've pulled too hard on the lollipop all night and you're left with only two options, the almost controlled landing or the one that fractures what little consideration you have left in humanity and yourself. Welcome to the new Bfdm and the abyss of sensualities it provides. The track which offers the reading line of the opus is that of Johannes Bügeleisen, musician who has scoured the Berlin nights for more than 10 years, remaining at all times and circumstances endowed with a big heart and an immense class. A hymn to languorous afterhours, which is completed by a bathmix of the same song, proposed by another important figure of the Neukölln scene: Leo Zylberberg. The latter offers us a version like a scuba dive where the soap slips out of the hands into the bathtub, always during those blue hours where nocturnal and diurnal are not yet clearly defined.

Atlanta native Tha God Fahim has emerged as a leading figure in hip-hop’s thriving modern underground, captivating listeners with masterful street soliloquies and timeless production. Uninterested in the flashy trappings of the modern rap game, Fahim has channelled his energy into building a phenomenal catalog, blending soulful aesthetics with hard-edged rhymes. Now, the talented emcee is taking a break from his dizzying mixtape schedule to unveil the new studio album "Iron Bull". Highlighting the power of relentless determination, the collection finds Tha God Fahim stronger than ever, elevating beyond adversity while remaining true to self. "Iron Bull" includes guest appearances by Mach-Hommy, Your Old Droog, and Jay NiCE, along with hypnotic production by Nicholas Craven, SadhuGold, Camoflauge Monk, and Fahim himself.

Yo! Boombox is the new instalment of Soul Jazz Records’ Boombox series on the early days of hiphop on vinyl and features some of the many innovative underground first-wave of early rap and disco rap records made in the USA in the period 1979-83. The album includes the first releases of seminal groups such as Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five and The Funky Four Plus One More through to a host of rarities and little-known obscurities such as the Carver Area High School band’s ‘Get Live 83’, an awesome record made at a Chicago high school. The album is released as a deluxe triple LP complete with 3x full inner sleeves of extensive sleeve notes, exclusive photography and original label artwork. There is also a very-limited one-pressing only special deluxe version that comes with an extra bonus super-rare 7” single of ‘Magic’s Rap’ by Magic’s Trick, aka ex-marine Magic Fraga, a record that was only ever available on US military bases! The album also comes as a deluxe double CD pack with 30-page booklet and slipcase. Yo! Boombox also features the stunning photography of Sophie Bramly, one of a very select group of photographers (alongside Henry Chalfant, Martha Cooper, and Joe Conzo) who were allowed full access to document the exciting early days of hip-hop in New York. These first exuberant wave of innocent, upbeat, party-on-the-block rap records were the first to try and create the sounds heard in community centres, block parties and street jams that first took place in the Bronx in the mid-1970s. Where the first DJs – Flash, Kool Herc and Bambaataa – were back-spinning, mixing and scratching together now classic breakbeat records like The Incredible Bongo Band’s Apache or Babe Ruth’s The Mexican, these first pre-sampling rap records were all made using live bands, often replaying then current disco tunes. As Chic’s ‘Good Times’ was to ‘Rappers’ Delight’, the songs here feature then-current dancefloor hits such as the Tom Tom Club’s ‘Genius of Love’, Cheryl Lynn’s ‘To Be Real’, MFSB’s ‘Love Is the Message’ while MCs rapped over the top, creating a unique new sound. In fact, the links between disco and rap date back earlier to the ‘party style’ MCing of figures such as the legendary DJ Hollywood or radio DJs like Frankie Crocker. This new Soul Jazz Records collection celebrates these first old-school rap records, bringing together rare, classic and obscure tracks released in the early days of rap.

Yo! Boombox is the new instalment of Soul Jazz Records’ Boombox series on the early days of hiphop on vinyl and features some of the many innovative underground first-wave of early rap and disco rap records made in the USA in the period 1979-83. The album includes the first releases of seminal groups such as Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five and The Funky Four Plus One More through to a host of rarities and little-known obscurities such as the Carver Area High School band’s ‘Get Live 83’, an awesome record made at a Chicago high school. The album is released as a deluxe triple LP complete with 3x full inner sleeves of extensive sleeve notes, exclusive photography and original label artwork. There is also a very-limited one-pressing only special deluxe version that comes with an extra bonus super-rare 7” single of ‘Magic’s Rap’ by Magic’s Trick, aka ex-marine Magic Fraga, a record that was only ever available on US military bases! The album also comes as a deluxe double CD pack with 30-page booklet and slipcase. Yo! Boombox also features the stunning photography of Sophie Bramly, one of a very select group of photographers (alongside Henry Chalfant, Martha Cooper, and Joe Conzo) who were allowed full access to document the exciting early days of hip-hop in New York. These first exuberant wave of innocent, upbeat, party-on-the-block rap records were the first to try and create the sounds heard in community centres, block parties and street jams that first took place in the Bronx in the mid-1970s. Where the first DJs – Flash, Kool Herc and Bambaataa – were back-spinning, mixing and scratching together now classic breakbeat records like The Incredible Bongo Band’s Apache or Babe Ruth’s The Mexican, these first pre-sampling rap records were all made using live bands, often replaying then current disco tunes. As Chic’s ‘Good Times’ was to ‘Rappers’ Delight’, the songs here feature then-current dancefloor hits such as the Tom Tom Club’s ‘Genius of Love’, Cheryl Lynn’s ‘To Be Real’, MFSB’s ‘Love Is the Message’ while MCs rapped over the top, creating a unique new sound. In fact, the links between disco and rap date back earlier to the ‘party style’ MCing of figures such as the legendary DJ Hollywood or radio DJs like Frankie Crocker. This new Soul Jazz Records collection celebrates these first old-school rap records, bringing together rare, classic and obscure tracks released in the early days of rap.

With I Will Make a Baby in this Damn Economy, Fat Tony embodies the kind of quixotic figure he would rap about; a singular entity who’s motivated, confident, and hungry; a perpetual-motion-machine locked in a staring contest with his country. It’s the latest album in his catalog produced entirely by L.A-based producer Taydex since 2020’s Wake Up. Later that same year Fat Tony released Exotica, and ever since he’s demonstrated he is in his own lane as a professional rapper with the mind of a magician, as quick to conjure an image as pull it out from under you, deftly manoeuvring through so many details and references a listener feels as if they have witnessed the work of an illusionist. He paints these canvases inside of songs that rarely spill past three minutes; they’re pocket-sized diaries replete with acute observations, character studies, microdoses of storytelling, and single-minded ruminations on a topic that bud, blossom, and fade before too long. Fat Tony & Taydex’s I Will Make a Baby in this Damn Economy cements Tony’s status as someone whose albums are not so much lyrically-lyrical as they are picaresque.

As with any Fat Tony project, the bars are tight as ever, but are so fluid for the 34-year-old it’s almost easy to take for granted the details, warmth, and humanity inside his free-associative tales of day-one friends who’ve passed, edgelord grifters who want to spit game, and nights on ketamine. Taydex’s production sprints through disparate yet simpatico styles, dipping its toes into Pi’erre Bourne-esque bass (see lead single “Spectacular”), house (“Loosen Up”), and even hyperpop. Meditations on loss and grief are woven throughout, but Tony throws a few curveballs as well: Consider “Alexis,” which sweetly reflects on a long-term platonic friendship. Taydex finds a Teddy Riley-indebted New Jack Swing groove just deep enough for the feeling to land and underlines the song’s sincere candor. This is the appeal of Fat Tony writ-large: his boisterous voice and genial personality invite you to the party, then you stick around to hear what he’s saying, which is frequently more introspective and complex than one assumes.

Written and recorded in Taydex’s new studio in North Hollywood, Tony says, “We had much more freedom and flexibility in making this album and you can hear it. It felt like a family project.” If the album is comfortable and loose, it is also dense and substantial. The album’s final two tracks contextualize the immediacy of what came before it—the mezcal with ices drank, Paul Wall swangin’ through to drop knowledge, the Polaris Prize-winning rapper Cadence Weapon providing a vibe check. “Make a Baby” accounts for Tony who’s seen everything, and knows he’s met the one to be a father with, and yet chooses to take his time to get it done. Taydex’s beat recalls turn-of-the-century R&B and the millennial promise of an endless good time. Sombre closer “Jasper, TX” is Tony coming to grips with the story of James Byrd, Jr., a Black man from East Texas dragged to his death by three white supremacists in 1998. These songs are not only trademarks of Tony’s fastidious rapping—they are deeply personal examples of his approach to artistry and life itself, where every decision is made in the shadow of history.

It’s here the mission statement of I Will Make a Baby in this Damn Economy comes into focus—you get the sense he means it, he’s ready for it, he’ll fight for it. He’s waiting to take the world at its word.

Nym Lo is the epitome of New York hip hop. Raised by the streets of New York, Nym Lo has been around long enough to see the city change. Nymlo new record with Static Selektah is a guaranteed promise there is some music from the new Hip-hop genres that is true to the culture . When asked what New York means to him and his sound he stated, "New York is the epicenter of everything. Then more specifically, Harlem is the center of that. I'm heavily influenced by it. My look, my talk, my music, everything. My whole lifestyle." We went to go visit his new billboard up on 125th St. and we can't go five minutes without someone coming to say hello. He gets his name from his fashion sense. Always rocking Ralph Lauren Polo head to toe. If you ever see Nymlo, chances are 183rd isn't far away. Friends for over 10 years, the duo has made countless classic records. In October 2019 they dropped their collab EP High Horse, and now they're back for the second installment, High Horse 2! High Horse 2 sounds like new age Harlem and success. The project perfectly showcases 183rd and Nymlo's energy and chemistry. 183rd's old school samples with boom bap drums backing Nym Lo's silky smooth witty bars. On High Horse 2, Nym makes you feel like you're with him walking through the streets of Harlem, counting money, reflecting on career growth and change. The album is accompanied by high caliber features from frequent collaborators Benny The Butcher, Smoke Dza, Jay Worthy and OT The Real. We conducted this interview at Ruff Ryder's Powerhouse studio, the same place where DMX, Jadakiss, Styles P, and more legendary rappers recorded. Nymlo also named DMX as a figure that he's looked up to and one of his favorite rappers since he was a child. Go stream High Horse 2 and make sure you keep a look out for more new music from Nym Lo.

Limited edition of 300 copies on classic black wax!

Amsterdam native Truffel The Phunky Phaqir is back on da block. A true talented producer on the hand and now a gifted MC on the other as "Dysphunktional" marks the very first release with Truffel behind the boards as well as on the microphone. Dig the classic boombap with tons of Jazz plus features by BlabberMouf, Mad Rev and Capital J.

Dj Taek has been a well known and respected figure on the Polish hip-hop scene for around two decades. Over the last few years he has been playing gigs for thousands of people and in the meantime been working on music in his home studio. It's mostly where “Local Filozophy” LP has been created. The title of an LP refers to the Lo-Fi style of production, full of saturated sounds combined with swinging fat drums. DJ Teak also took care of a scratches (just as a real DJ does) and spiced the compositions with vocal samples containing deep thoughts. ''Local Filozophy'' is a journey through 12 tracks with the guest appearance from Emapea. Beat Catz Salute!

Dj Taek has been a well known and respected figure on the Polish hip-hop scene for around two decades. Over the last few years he has been playing gigs for thousands of people and in the meantime been working on music in his home studio. It's mostly where “Local Filozophy” LP has been created. The title of an LP refers to the Lo-Fi style of production, full of saturated sounds combined with swinging fat drums. DJ Teak also took care of a scratches (just as a real DJ does) and spiced the compositions with vocal samples containing deep thoughts. ''Local Filozophy'' is a journey through 12 tracks with the guest appearance from Emapea. Beat Catz Salute!

Following hot in the footsteps of his debut HF release ‘Cocoa Butter’, ‘Off The Grid’ sees Renelle 893 team up with producer Bay29 on a body of work that offers an escape route from the monotonous every day; the duo taking us further and further off the beaten track, marrying moments of purest hedonism with stark reminders that the real world lies in wait, just after sunrise, with no pause button in sight. Laying the foundations with summer anthem (and lead single) ’Spaghetti’, Renelle wrestles with the fleeting nature of youth, and his topsy turvy relationship with the finer things in life. The dynamic is both gritty and nostalgic as Renelle walks the fine line between Hollywood hedonism and slurry excess, his mood swinging between moments of invincibility and vulnerability, expertly scored by Bay29’s ethereal, bass dripping instrumentals. Another SE London / Brighton hook up, one of many on the label in recent years, Renelle utilised his late night train rides to-and-from Bay29’s Brighton studio as an opportunity to refine the verses that make up the bones of the project. Twelve-tracks; six vocal, six instrumental, ‘Off The Grid’ is the first in a series of new works from Renelle 893 & Bay29. A perfect scene-setter for what’s to come. As Renelle 893 explains… “Off The Grid is about soul searching and figuring out what kind of adult I am looking to be, navigating a world filled with distractions that will do everything to numb the pain as life inevitably passes you by…”

The Great Escape is the debut collaborative album from San Francisco Legend, Larry June & prolific super producer, The Alchemist. Through a process that felt very organic, the two churned out an extra healthy amount of music that resulted in what may be their magnum opus. At 15 tracks, the album includes tasteful features from some of Hip-Hop's most celebrated figures; Action Bronson, Big Sean, Ty Dolla $ign, Slum Village, Boldy James, Evidence, Wiz Khalifa, Jay Worthy, Curren$y & Joey Bada$$. Like a fine wine, sit back, let it breathe, and enjoy the neat yet exquisitely rich complexities of two of Hip-Hop’s smoothest figures.

Yo! Boombox is the new instalment of Soul Jazz Records’ Boombox series on the early days of hiphop on vinyl and features some of the many innovative underground first-wave of early rap and disco rap records made in the USA in the period 1979-83. The album includes the first releases of seminal groups such as Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five and The Funky Four Plus One More through to a host of rarities and little-known obscurities such as the Carver Area High School band’s ‘Get Live 83’, an awesome record made at a Chicago high school. The album is released as a deluxe triple LP complete with 3x full inner sleeves of extensive sleeve notes, exclusive photography and original label artwork. There is also a very-limited one-pressing only special deluxe version that comes with an extra bonus super-rare 7” single of ‘Magic’s Rap’ by Magic’s Trick, aka ex-marine Magic Fraga, a record that was only ever available on US military bases! The album also comes as a deluxe double CD pack with 30-page booklet and slipcase. Yo! Boombox also features the stunning photography of Sophie Bramly, one of a very select group of photographers (alongside Henry Chalfant, Martha Cooper, and Joe Conzo) who were allowed full access to document the exciting early days of hip-hop in New York. These first exuberant wave of innocent, upbeat, party-on-the-block rap records were the first to try and create the sounds heard in community centres, block parties and street jams that first took place in the Bronx in the mid-1970s. Where the first DJs – Flash, Kool Herc and Bambaataa – were back-spinning, mixing and scratching together now classic breakbeat records like The Incredible Bongo Band’s Apache or Babe Ruth’s The Mexican, these first pre-sampling rap records were all made using live bands, often replaying then current disco tunes. As Chic’s ‘Good Times’ was to ‘Rappers’ Delight’, the songs here feature then-current dancefloor hits such as the Tom Tom Club’s ‘Genius of Love’, Cheryl Lynn’s ‘To Be Real’, MFSB’s ‘Love Is the Message’ while MCs rapped over the top, creating a unique new sound. In fact, the links between disco and rap date back earlier to the ‘party style’ MCing of figures such as the legendary DJ Hollywood or radio DJs like Frankie Crocker. This new Soul Jazz Records collection celebrates these first old-school rap records, bringing together rare, classic and obscure tracks released in the early days of rap.

LP+CD+7"

Tkay Maidza, the first female rapper signed to 4AD, announces details of her highly anticipated new album, Sweet Justice. The follow-up to her 2016 self-titled debut will be released on 3 November and includes the recent Flume-produced earth-shuddering single ‘Silent Assassin’. Today, Tkay shares a blistering new track, ‘Ring-A-Ling’ and official video directed by Jocelyn Anquetil.

“I’m never choosing compliance,” a defiant Maidza utters ‘Ring-A-Ling’; a warning from the Zimbabwean-born, Australian-raised, Los Angeles-based rapper, singer and producer and a mantra for Sweet Justice. Produced by Two Fresh, Tkay says of ‘Ring-A-Ling’, “I wanted to make an empowering song that tells others that my biggest focus are my goals.”

The result of a dark night of the soul—and ensuing epiphany—that led to a series of professional and personal reckonings, Sweet Justice isn’t a revenge album, but it does stem from a profound sense of karma. In a traditional sense, it’s a breakup record: about Tkay splitting off from her self-doubt and warped sense of self; the toxic figures that populated the last chapter of her life; and the idea that she should stick to any one lane.

After severing ties with old friends, she found some new ones on the same creative wavelength: Canadian producers Stint and Kaytranada, and fellow Australian Flume, all of whom contribute production. Sweet Justice is an album that embodies the beautiful contradictions of Tkay’s art: it’s a coming-of-age record by someone who’s mastered the game; an album about karmic justice and accountability that’s bright, breezy and incredibly fun. In Tkay’s mind, it’s a rebirth album, a record about harnessing the feminine power that was innate in her the whole time.

Tkay Maidza says, “Sweet Justice was a way for me to channel my emotions from what I’ve experienced in the last two years. It’s a diary of things and thoughts I’ve kept to myself. Making the record was a healing experience and I’m grateful to have worked with producers who have inspired me throughout my career.” Sweet Justice follows the 3-year-long, 24 song-strong genre-bending Last Year Was Weird trilogy exploring Maidza’s own African-Australian experience. The project earned her a 2021 ARIA Awards win for Best Soul/R&B Release and an NME Award for Best Solo Act From Australia in 2022. Following on from tours with Billie Eilish and Dua Lipa, Tkay is currently in the southern hemisphere for arena shows with Lizzo with her own headline shows to be announced soon.

Primarily an instrumental album, Jeff Markey’s Sports & Leisure project also features artists billy woods, PremRock, Fatboi Sharif, Defcee, Skech185, Googie and Shape. Now available on vinyl for the first time, Markey has added some very special bells and whistles: Instrumentals for every rap song on the album (Physically) unreleased Armand Hammer collaborations: Armand Hammer “Native Sun” (Half Measures) “Black Ark” instrumental (Race Music) “Halloween Fell on a Weekend” instrumental (wht Lbl) “Western Education is Forbidden” instrumental (Terror Management) Markey is a longtime Backwoodz collaborator, but while his contributions have always been memorable, they have also been few and far between. The credits tell the tale: There he is producing the very first track - “Native Sun” - on Half Measures, the very first Armand Hammer mixtape (2013). That same year he did “Black Ark” on the duos debut LP, Race Music and then doesn’t pop again on anything Backwoodz related until 2019 when he co-produced billy woods first single for Terror Management, “Western Education is Forbidden” featuring Fielded. In 2022, Markey and Fielded made it 2-for-2 with the slinkily fun “Halloween Fell On A Weekend,” a track on Armand Hammer’s vinyl-exclusive WHT LBL.

While he has put out a few other projects over the years and has an equally long history with Reservoir Sound, the arts collective founded by producer A.M. Breakups, Markey spent most of the past decade on the periphery of the NYC indie scene, as likely to drop heat as he was to disappear for years at a time. Sports & Leisure represents the beginnings of a new era for the Akron, Ohio-born producer who moved to New York City in 2004. The pandemic gave him the time and mental space to re-dedicate himself to music and this project figures to be the tip of the iceberg.

“I wanted to make beats that were rugged yet had really warm textures. Previously, I had been making such complicated and left-field sounding shit that I wanted to make something closer to normal rap beats,” Markey says. “I wanted to make shit that was special because good choices were made within an already existing framework rather than completely changing the framework”

Kuniko is releasing her first 12"ep, expressing her own identity. The unique and new style, centered around the theme of "inheritance and creation," is being sent out to the world. During childhood, Kuniko sang at local festivals, learned piano and electone, and grew up surrounded by music. In 2009, she had a groundbreaking encounter with the influential figure Mala, a pioneer in the UK bass culture and dubstep scene. She also met DJ mentor Yama aka Sahib. Inspired by these experiences, she started her career as a DJ in Tokyo, expressing herself through music. In 2013, she relocated to her roots in Okinawa, where she established her base. There, she learned the traditional Okinawan art of singing and playing the sanshin from her mentor, Misako Ohshiro.

The Frosted label is back with more brilliance from Inland Knights in the form of this newly remastered version of the classic 'Figure It Out.' It was first put out back in 2013 as the first release on the label and remains a vital tune from the British pair. On the flip, Mark Farina is one of those hallowed producers who always has his own unique sonic signature, most famously under his Mushroom Jazz alias. His edit brings plenty of depth and broken beat lushness with noodling guitar riffs and spoken words making it a backroom gem.

Chinese-born singer "Rushika (る鹿)," active as a fashion model in Japan, made her debut by releasing a cover of Yura Yura Teikoku's "Kudou Desu" (Hollow). Her 3rd single, "Karada ga Shibareru Atama ga Yorokobu," released in October 2023, features an original composition by Shintaro Sakamoto and Seiichi Yamamoto, influential figures in Japan's alternative music scene. The song, a blend of catchy, danceable, and psychedelic elements, intertwines with a memorable poetic world carrying an unsettling atmosphere, bringing out Ruka's newfound charm. This 7-inch single includes versions sung in Japanese on the A-side, and B-side is a remix that features remixes by Meitei.

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.

Unsettled Scores Records is thrilled to announce the long-awaited release of Bombin’ by Brim, available for the first time ever on 7” vinyl and digital download. Bombin’ is the iconic title track from Dick Fontaine’s acclaimed graffiti documentary that originally aired on UK’s Channel 4 in early 1988. The documentary follows the journey of graffiti artist Brim in 1985, as he travels from The Bronx, New York to various locations across the UK, encountering legendary figures including a young Goldie (mbe) and 3D (Massive Attack / The Wild Bunch). The track became legendary to a generation of graffiti artists and Hip Hop lovers who grew up with the documentary. Remastered from a recently discovered cassette tape in the collection of Bombin’ composer David Toop Unsettled Scores Records is proud to finally release the full length recording, including previously unheard verses by Brim.

Geteye's influences are diverse and reflect his love of melodic sampling. His main inspirations include such iconic figures as Madlib, J Dilla, Kankick, Hi-Tek, Mo Kolours, Afta1, KNLO and Iman Omari. In France, artists such as Onra, Astronote and Barrio have also had an impact on Geteye's creationThe new "KID" album is the culmination of a long-awaited physical project with the Dooinit music label. Inspired by his recent fatherhood, Geteye explores an eclectic mix of jazz, soul, funk and Brazilian music to create a unique vibe. The project features some heavy collaborations with artists such as ETO and Guilty Simpson, but it's the track "Deep Fake" with French rapper Mr JL that particularly appeals to Geteye. This collaboration is the realization of an artistic dream and his guest enhances the instrumental. In short, "KID" offers a personal and creative musical experience, capturing the authenticity and innocence of childhood.

Common & Pete Rock - "The Auditorium Vol. 1" Legendary hip-hop figures Common & Pete Rock showcase their evolved prowess in their debut collaboration, The Auditorium, Vol. 1. Despite years apart, their synergy is palpable. Pete's groundbreaking production, blending intricate harmonies, and Common's multifaceted artistry shine through. Their meticulous process births 15 tracks that blend nostalgia with innovation. With cameos from Jennifer Hudson and de la Soul's Posdnuos, each element is carefully curated, resulting in a timeless masterpiece. This album not only celebrates their individual growth but also sets the stage for future volumes. Concord Music Group; Loma Vista Recordings; Indie Exclusive Translucent Forest Green 2 LP.

Legendary hip-hop figures Common and Pete Rock showcase their evolved prowess in their debut collaboration, "The Auditorium, Vol. 1." Despite years apart, their synergy is palpable. Pete's groundbreaking production, blending intricate harmonies, and Common's multifaceted artistry shine through.

Their meticulous process births 15 tracks that blend nostalgia with innovation. With cameos from Jennifer Hudson and De La Soul's Posdnuos, each element is carefully curated, resulting in a timeless masterpiece. This album not only celebrates their individual growth but also sets the stage for future volumes.

Why you'll love it...
Fat Tony and his friend & producer Taydex are release their new album I Will Make A Baby in this Damn Economy. On this new album, Fat Tony embodies the kind of quixotic figure he would rap about; a singular entity who’s motivated, confident, and hungry; a perpetual-motion-machine locked in a staring contest with his country. The album's featured artists include Paul Wall, B L A C K I E, Cadence Weapon, Harriet Brown, and B.K. Habermehl.

Limited to 200 copies, the VMP exclusive version of Fat Tony & Taydex's I Will Make a Baby in this Damn Economy is pressed on "Dodger Blue" vinyl at Precision Record Pressing. The 1LP will arrive in a single, direct-to-board, foil-stamped and numbered jacket with a download code.

Why you'll love it...
To be the backbone of Cash Money is to be an oft-underappreciated figure like Mannie Fresh, who manned nearly an entire era of production singlehandedly while *still* finding the gall to grow and reinvent himself. Though his solo album came on the back end of Cash Money’s descent into peril, 'The Mind of Mannie Fresh' is far more fun than anticipated, chock full of outrageous punchlines and overindulgent skit work. The beats still do the maximum, and Mannie as an MC isn’t afraid of his creations in the slightest, rising to his own occasion even as the results find him stumbling over with a grin on his chin. In canon, this album’s one of the more forgotten; to delve further into building the Cash Money folklore, spin it for a peek into the source code behind your favorites.