Search "giant steps" 245 Items

Collision Course is a collaborative EP by Jay-Z and Linkin Park, released on November 30, 2004. The project was an experimental mash-up album that combined elements of hip-hop and nu-metal, blending Jay-Z's raps with Linkin Park's rock sound. Produced by Mike Shinoda (of Linkin Park) and Jay-Z, Collision Course merges some of the biggest hits from both artists into new, hybrid tracks that fuse their distinct genres.

Collision Course was the result of MTV’s "Mash-Up" series, where artists from different genres collaborated to create new music by combining their songs. The project quickly gained attention because it featured two hugely popular artists from vastly different musical backgrounds.
The EP features six tracks, each a combination of Jay-Z’s iconic verses and Linkin Park’s hard-hitting rock instrumentals and vocals. It brings together Jay-Z's hip-hop classics with Linkin Park’s emotionally charged, alternative rock anthems.
The release was accompanied by a DVD, which included behind-the-scenes footage of the making of the album and a live performance of the mash-up tracks.

The mash-ups blend hip-hop beats with rock instrumentation, creating a genre-bending sound. Jay-Z’s verses, which are typically supported by hip-hop production, are now backed by guitar riffs, drums, and electronic elements from Linkin Park’s catalog.
Linkin Park’s co-lead vocalists, Chester Bennington and Mike Shinoda, intertwine their vocals with Jay-Z’s raps, adding a dynamic contrast between Chester’s melodic hooks and Mike's rap-style verses.

Key Tracks and Highlights:
"Numb/Encore" – This is arguably the most well-known track from the EP and became a major hit. It combines Jay-Z’s "Encore" from The Black Album with Linkin Park’s "Numb" from Meteora. The song blends Jay-Z's braggadocious lyrics about legacy and success with the emotional weight of "Numb," creating a powerful contrast. The track won a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration in 2006.
"Dirt Off Your Shoulder/Lying from You" – This track combines Jay-Z’s "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" from The Black Album with Linkin Park’s "Lying from You" from Meteora. The mix of Jay-Z’s swaggering, confident lyrics with the angsty tone of "Lying from You" creates an intense, high-energy track.
"Big Pimpin'/Papercut" – In this mash-up, Jay-Z’s party anthem "Big Pimpin’" from Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter is combined with "Papercut", one of Linkin Park’s hard-hitting tracks from Hybrid Theory. The contrast between Jay-Z’s carefree lyrics and the darker themes of "Papercut" makes for a unique and striking combination.
"Jigga What/Faint" – This high-energy mash-up blends Jay-Z’s "Jigga What" from Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life with Linkin Park’s "Faint" from Meteora. The aggressive guitar riffs and fast-paced production of "Faint" complement Jay-Z’s rapid-fire rhyming, making this one of the more intense tracks on the album.
"Izzo/In the End" – This track mashes up Jay-Z’s hit "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" from The Blueprint with Linkin Park’s massive hit "In the End" from Hybrid Theory. The combination of Jay-Z’s celebratory lyrics with the reflective, melancholic tone of "In the End" creates a unique emotional balance.
"Points of Authority/99 Problems/One Step Closer" – This mash-up brings together Jay-Z’s "99 Problems" from The Black Album with Linkin Park’s "Points of Authority" and "One Step Closer" from Hybrid Theory. It’s one of the hardest-hitting tracks on the EP, with aggressive beats and heavy guitars, paired with Jay-Z’s defiant lyrics.

Contrast between genres: One of the major themes in Collision Course is the juxtaposition of hip-hop bravado and rock’s emotional intensity. Jay-Z’s confident, self-assured lyrics are often paired with Linkin Park’s more vulnerable and introspective lyrics, creating a dramatic tension in the songs.

Jay-Z’s lyrics in tracks like "Encore" and "Big Pimpin’" focus on his rise to fame, success, and the challenges he’s overcome, while Linkin Park’s contributions often explore themes of alienation, frustration, and personal struggle.
Critical Reception:
Collision Course received mixed reviews from critics but was praised for its creativity and for bridging the gap between two different musical genres. While some critics felt that the mash-ups were too formulaic, others admired the seamless blending of two very different musical styles.
The EP performed well commercially, debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart. "Numb/Encore" was particularly successful, becoming a mainstream hit and one of the most recognizable tracks from the project.

Collision Course is seen as a significant experiment in genre fusion, helping to bridge the gap between hip-hop and rock audiences. It contributed to the growing trend of genre-blending that would become more prominent in the 2000s.
The success of the EP demonstrated that collaborations across genres could be commercially viable, paving the way for future projects that mixed hip-hop with rock, pop, and other genres.
The live performance of the EP’s tracks, particularly the "Numb/Encore" mash-up at events like the Grammys and MTV Music Awards, helped to cement its place in pop culture, with fans of both Jay-Z and Linkin Park embracing the crossover.

Collision Course stands as a unique collaboration in music history, bringing together two icons from different genres and creating a blend that resonated with both rock and hip-hop fans. Though brief, the EP’s six tracks showcased the possibilities of genre fusion and delivered some of the most memorable mash-ups of the 2000s. The project continues to be celebrated for its innovation and the seamless combination of Jay-Z’s iconic flows with Linkin Park’s powerful instrumentals and emotive vocals.

Why you'll love it...
An 18-year-old faced with the daunting task of creating a debut that lived up to the hype that only heightened during his hiatus, Earl Sweatshirt didn’t buckle under the pressure or rely only on the old tricks; he reinvented himself. More focused even in its messiness, Doris is a well-timed candid capturing one of the most brilliant hip-hop artists of our time making the first steps toward becoming the rapper he wanted to be.

Hip-hop legend Rakim is breaking new ground with his upcoming studio album, G.O.D.'S Network (reb7rth), by fl exing his skills both on the mic and behind the boards. Widely lauded as the best lyricist of all time, The God MC himself is blessing the culture with the next step in his historic career. “I feel like the battery in my back has been reenergized,” Rakim said about his new album, which arrives nearly four decades after the release of his classic debut with Eric B., Paid In Full. Since then, he’s continued to shape the landscape and culture of hip-hop as we know it, inspiring rising artists with his hype live shows and incredible studio albums. And while he’s produced some of his previous work—notably “Don’t Sweat the Technique,” “Juice (Know The Ledge),” and “Paid In Full”—this feels like new territory for the 18th Letter, whose production and scratching talents are nothing short of remarkable. G.O.D.'S Network (reb7rth) is proof that Rakim is truly one of the most special artists we’ve known not just in hip-hop, but all of music. You can tell he feels that level of praise when speaking about the genesis of the album. “Having the ability to showcase my talents behind the boards coupled with the elite lyricism the world already knows and gives me in fi nite praise for alongside some of the best talents to ever do it is truly a blessing and for that I am humbled,” he said. Rakim is more than an of fi cial triple-threat as an artist, because he’s also showing off skills as a curator. On this album’s seven tracks, he enlists a who’s-who of top hip-hop talent, including the dearly departed Nipsey Hussle, Fred the Godson, DMX, and Prodigy (of Mobb Deep). Rakim also linked with many of his contemporaries, such as Snoop Dogg, Method Man, Kxng Crooked, B.G., and Kool G. Rap, among others. The album’s fi rst single, “Be Ill,” is the perfect introduction, as it pairs Rakim’s raw rhymes and head-nodding production with slick guest features from Kurupt and Masta Killa. Elsewhere, Rakim slows it down for the soulful “Love Is The Message,” which features Nipsey Hussle, Planet Asia, Louis King, Snoop Dogg, Sally Green, Kobe Honeycutt, and the LA Grand Choir. And then there’s the chest-thumping “International,” a straight-up slapper with hard-hitting rhymes from Kool G. Rap, Tristate, and Joell Ortiz. RRC-066.pdf For fans of hip-hop, and especially of Rakim’s storied discography, there is so much to love on this record. You can hear his hunger as an emcee and producer on every track, as well as his desire to collaborate with so many respected artists. Despite having decades in the game and many classics to his name, it feels like Rakim is just getting started. While the world awaits the July 26th release date, fans can catch Rakim performing live throughout the US from now until the end of year in support of G.O.D.S Network (reb7rth). In addition to debuting new material, he’ll be performing all the classics from his beloved catalog.

Limited edition of 2000 copies, only available at HHV!

20 years HHV: our team has selected an album from each of these years that is particularly relevant and precious to us. On a monthly basis we release exclusive and limited pressings of these records in collaboration with some of our favorite labels.

In 2013, "Fresh & Umbenannt" certainly marked a new step for Retrogott & Hulk Hodn by introducing a new stage name, but the album still owns the remarkable sound of the duo. 23 tracks in total with a feature by Morlockk Dilemma.

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

They all started small. But it all - the art - has become so big for very few of them. Dexter has: The Stuttgart native has been involved as a producer in the last 13 years on iconic albums by Deichkind, Cro and Casper, he was responsible for three successful Fatoni albums and, together with Max Herre, most recently put together a showcase of the GDR label AMIGA ("hallo 22"). With three instrumental albums of his own and later with the producer supergroup Betty Ford Boys, he led the way for the new self-confidence of an entire generation of local hip-hop beatmakers - fewer service providers, more attention.

The fact that Dexter himself had once started out as a rapper was often forgotten. It wasn't until "Haare nice, Socken fly" (2017) that he released his first rap solo album, and with "Yung Boomer" in 2020 he got to the heart of how his very own Grown-Man Rap works in the field of tension between trap and jazz. The fact that he brought old-school legend Lakmann on an album with Lugatti & 9ine is just one of many proofs of Dexter's exceptional position in the scene.

With his new project, Dexter goes back to the beginnings, more precisely to the era in which he celebrated his breakthrough with "Jazz Files". That instrumental album from 2010 remains a milestone in the genre-defining "Hi-Hat Club" series (Melting Pot Music). "Jazz Files" brought him overnight onto the iPods of favorite rappers and post-Dilla beat nerds, into clubs, festivals and beat fights, and into the collective consciousness of a German rap landscape in upheaval.

From this era comes a hard drive with about 400 beats thought lost, which Dexter was able to rescue a few months ago. Dexter is now releasing 25 of these instrumentals for the first time on the album "BABY STEPS (BEATS 2010-2013)", which will be available digitally and on vinyl from July 14, 2023. The productions flow and push, rumble and clatter, are remastered, but otherwise unchanged Dexter - full of jazz, psych rock and soul. And the artwork? That's by Dexter's kids and was laid out by Dexter's sister.

Family first!

Dope reissue - for the first time on 180g double vinyl!

Step in the Arena is the second studio album by hip hop duo Gang Starr, printed as a 1990 release and commercially released on January 15, 1991. The album received critical acclaim and was also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. The Source magazine stated: “Step in the Arena stands alone on a musical level, yet it also remains true to hip-hop’s underground heritage.” In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source’s 100 Best Hip Hop Albums.

Limited edition of 300 copies on CD in jewel case.

Representing New Jersey to the fullest, Miilkbone stepped to the scene in 1994 with the piano-driven single "Keep It Real", followed by the full-length debut release "Da Miilkrate" in 1995.

In the ghetto landscapes of the Delaney projects in his hometown of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, hip hop became the soundtrack of Miilkbone's life. As b-boy kids bounced their ill pills with the mad swagger of basketball macks, the boo-boom of Rakim and Kool G Rap inspired the moods, grooves and attitudes of a new generation of rhyme slayers.

Mainly produced by the likes of former Illtown protégé Mufi, Naughty By Nature's very own Kay Gee and up-and-coming Nick Wiz, the album remains a highlight from the golden era in the catalogue of rap from New Jersey.

Available in a limited run on 2LP+7", extra 7" of "Keep It Real" in original artwork sleeve, CD in jewel case, cassette and digitally on all major platforms.

Limited to 300 copies worlwide.

Kaiju is the floor-shaking, speaker-knocking new album from Canibus, one of hip-hop’s greatest lyricists who continues to push himself as an artist. It also serves as his first solo release since 2015’s excellent Time Flys, Life Dies... Phoenix Rise, which was produced entirely by Bronze Nazareth. It’s only fitting, then, that ‘Bus would once again work with only one producer for this project, which finds him spitting mind-melting bars over beats from Oxnard, CA beatsmith/rapper Body Bag Ben.

The 11 tracks on Kaiju strike a balance between personal experiences and striking grandiosity that ‘Bus expertly crafts with his pen. They also all boast the rewind-worthy lyrics you’d want from one of the genre’s most creative and truly timeless talents. You can hear this immediately on the opening track, “Curmudgeon,” where he spits raw bars with his signature growl over BBB’s monstrous production. That vibe carries on throughout the record, from the snarling, DMX-assisted “Entameta (Remix)” through to the hip-hop epic of “Verzuz.”

This is truly Canibus at his best, blending surrealist wordplay and turns-of-phrase with sharp, witty commentary about the state of the world today. Even better, he’s backed by some of BBB’s best production to date, which rumbles and stomps as much as it sounds like it’s covered in a thick layer of grime. It’s much like the inspiration for the album’s title—a giant monster (kaiju, in Japanese) like Godzilla rising from a slumber, ready to wreak havoc on his opponents.

Following in the steps of last year's mysterious "Beyond the Garage" 12 inch, L.I.E.S. throws another curveball with a 30 track continuous LP from veteran West Coast producers, Vinny+Charlie. Each side running 20 minutes, this can best be described as a smoked out, haze filled afterparty beat tape on wax. Obscure samples, dusty sp-12 crushed beats, head nodding loops, sweet low rider soul..chopped, sped up, slowed down and ready to wreck your system. Limited edition white label housed in a lp jacket with custom art by LA artist SOB Story. 300 copies worldwide.

Buffalo & Detroit are America’s broken dream. They are once thriving cities, now known for frigid temperatures and violent crime. The cities were birthed in a different era, forged in fire, built of cold steel. It follows that the rawest Hiphop in recent memory has bled from these two regions. No two artists exemplify this hard truth more than legendary Detroit producer Apollo Brown and Buffalo’s maverick emcee Che’ Noir. The two artists came together to create a sound as natural as calm after the storm.

The soulful, head-nodding production of Apollo Brown has been a staple called on by some of the greatest to ever do it. From Ghostface Killah to Danny Brown, and from Freddie Gibbs to Chance the Rapper, Apollo Brown’s signature style has become an iconic staple of the culture. Meanwhile, Che’ Noir has stepped onto the scene as smoothly as any double dutch veteran. Having already worked alongside Benny The Butcher, Kool G Rap, and Fred The Godson, she has emerged as one of the most extraordinary New York talents heard in years.

The pair’s new album, “As God Intended”, drifts up and down city streets and offers a glimpse behind closed doors, telling the stories of gunshots, missing fathers, & playing the system.

The album from Apollo Brown & Che’ Noir features Skyzoo, Blakk Soul, Planet Asia, Ty Farris, and Black Thought. Part of the Mello Music Group 24 for '24 Artist Series featuring limited edition vinyl art by oil painter KipDaFog.

Commemorating the 15th anniversary of Wiz Khalifa's 2008 mixtape, Star Power, Rostrum Records is releasing the mixtape’s first-ever vinyl pressing! The limited-edition package features retro video game inspired artwork and outer space colored vinyl discs, housed in a NES cartridge style die-cut inner sleeve. Also included is a lyrics insert resembling a video game instruction booklet. Originally released on September 17, 2008, Star Power is an essential document from Wiz Khalifa's early career, helping develop his lush sound and establish his reputation as the game's hardest-working and most talented stoner. Hosted by DJ Deez, the tape features multiple guest appearances from Wiz's close associate Chevy Woods, then known as Kev Da Hustla, and production sculpted at the legendary I.D. Labs by Pittsburgh natives like Sledgren, E. Dan, Johnny Juliano, Rocky Fontaine, and Big Jerm, who produced hits for Wiz, Mac Miller, and more during his career. Spanning 23 tracks, Star Power exhibits the melodic mastery and strong songwriting that soon made Wiz Khalifa a superstar, acting as a crucial stepping stone from Pittsburgh prominence to worldwide recognition.

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.

This 25th anniversary commemorative reissue of The Dining Rooms’ debut album “Subterranean Modern Volume Uno” is an essential release of an album that has become a true classic of instrumental cinematic hip hop through the years, the very first step in a constant evolution of a unique music style conceived by Stefano Ghittoni and Cesare Malfatti. Thanks to this double LP release various songs of the original full album appear on vinyl for the very first time. This reissue also includes a 30x30cm insert and the bonus track “Education of a Scoundrel” featuring Sean Martin on vocals.

HHV Records Exclusive colored edition limited to 300 copies.

Soul is more than a sound. It is a timeless idea and an immortal condition. It can’t be borrowed or traded, bequeathed or imitated (no matter how much they try). Soul isn’t the blues, but the best blues has soul. Hip-Hop isn’t soul, but it’s the most fundamental component of its DNA. R&B is the genre, but soul is the yearning, the lust, the regret. Without soul, love is merely sex. With it, you get something like Lovesick. Lovesick is a collaboration between the 3x Grammy-nominated singer Raheem DeVaughn and the legendary hip-hop producer, Apollo Brown, best known for making hip-hop so grimy that it permanently lodges in your lungs and underneath your fingernails. It is a work of startling beauty, a blend of modern R&B, classic soul, and guttural funk that recalls Smokey Robinson, Al Green, and Marvin Gaye. Yet it doesn’t sound out of step alongside DeVaughn’s peers The-Dream, Anderson.Paak, and Miguel. It is an album that bears the echoes of Jodeci and James Brown, but it is ultimately the clarion vision of two masters of their respective forms.
Released on Mello Music, Lovesick is a stylistic departure from Apollo Brown’s coldblooded 21st century boom-bap, but it shouldn’t come as a shock considering his historical skill at soulful sample chopping. Still, it’s testament to the Michigan native’s versatility and emotional depth; he has turned a sonic left turn into an eternal groove -- an expansion that feels reminiscent of DJ Premier producing for D’Angelo, Salaam Remi collaborating with Amy Winehouse, J Dilla’s bible material with Erykah Badu, or more recently, Knxlwdge’s NxWorries project with .Paak.
Credit DeVaughn for making the extraordinary feel effortless. In Lovesick, the Love King has built a vessel to transport you to a different, better time. It is a tribute to the artists who came before him: all those aforementioned names, plus Parliament and Prince. Listening to the lead single, “When a Man,” you intuit the sweat and soulful anguish of the hardest working man in show business, but also float from Apollo’s head nod to A Tribe Called Quest’s “Luck of Lucien.” The post-modern commentary seductively fused into a warm-hearted nostalgia. “If I Made Love to You” finds DeVaughn telling his lover that he’ll play all the slow jams and quiet storm ballads for them, before unleashing a falsetto that can stop space and time. If you play this at the proper volume on the right system, the aromatic candles and incense will light themselves, and the sheets will turn to 10,000 thread count silk. A form of bedroom gospel. On “Just Fall in Love,” DeVaughn grapples with the carnal double standards that apply to men and women. For the third act, Compton’s Westside Boogie, unleashes a hyper-melodic rap lamentation, in search of loyalty, healing, and love. Elsewhere, on the album, Skyzoo and 3D Na’Tee contribute impressive lyrical 16s that are seamlessly interwoven into its satin tapestry.

For the legendary DeVaughn, it further cements his stature as one of the finest crooners of his generation. The DMV raised singer has sold hundreds of thousands of records, won BET Awards and been nominated for three Grammys, but this stands among his finest work. He has conjured the perfect record for the Sunday backyard BBQ and for riding in the car with the object of your affections, the ideal nocturnal soundtrack for when it’s time to lower the lights. For Brown, this is a panoramic expansion that shows the full range of his gifts. It is the home cooked meal, the perfectly rolled joint, soft lighting, a pledge to love and fidelity, and all the struggles with temptation. It is soul, as smooth and supernatural as it gets.

Witches brew and cauldrons bubble, as Halloween stirs up an eerie trouble! Step into the world of spooky beats with Lofi Girl's 'Halloween 2024' compilation. Featuring talented artists from around the world, this potion of ghostly rhythms and haunting melodies sets the mood for a night of chills and thrills. Whether you're conjuring up potions or unwinding under the moonlit sky, let the witchy magic of these chilling beats take over your Halloween night!

This is a historic mixtape (1994) in the history of French hip hop, featuring even the first steps of the famous French rapper Booba, at the age of 14!

Holy grail hip-hop alert! Superstar Quamallah's Invisible Man was never released on wax so, to celebrate the 15th anniversary of this astounding record, we present the first ever vinyl edition. A stunning record which gained accolades upon its initial release, such as a prominent feature on Gilles Peterson's renowned Best Of 2009 show, it's one of the most essential jazz rap albums of all time. Cut across double vinyl, it’s exceedingly limited, with just 500 pressed for the world.

Deep jazz rap on that mellow-melodic tip, Invisible Man is an unforgettable album with nothing but dope beats and dope bars. There's a strong chance this album has passed you by but we truly believe it to be a lost hip-hop masterpiece. It supremely captures the essence of a golden age classic without being slavish to the past. No, this ain't some facile throwback rap. It's a fresh and deeply soulful, original album shot through straight from the heart. Perfect to chill to, Invisible Man is profoundly jazz-oriented and captures with simplicity and sincerity the essence of hip-hop circa 1983-1994. It sounds like vibing with your nearest, dearest and oldest friends on a long hot summer night as the tantalising thought that anything is possible fills the air. You know what, we can just call this "magic hour rap" and we think you'll know what we mean. It's just beautiful. Just Listen.

Brooklyn-born, California-based emcee, DJ, and producer Superstar Quamallah was active in the West Coast underground scene throughout the 90s and recorded extensively with such revered names as Defari and Tajai. His parents were some serious artistic heavyweights, too; his father was soul organist Big John Patton, a giant in the jazz world known for his releases on Blue Note whilst his mother was an active designer. However, he remains relatively unknown. Invisible Man, named ostensibly after the classic Ralph Ellison novel, could also refer to how he is viewed by the public at large. With close affiliations to the Hieroglyphics, Dilated Peoples and Likwit crew, his debut EP "Don't Call Me John" arrived in 1999 on ABB Records, after which he took a sabbatical from recording which included graduate school, travelling, teaching at Inglewood High and eventually a professorship of African Studies at Berkeley.

With a laidback flow and deep, relaxing presence on the mic, Superstar Quamallah is equal parts Big Daddy Kane, Rakim and Guru. Invisible Man is refined, soulful, feel-good hip-hop of the old school. Its wise, spiritual and literate sound, combined with the summertime vibes projected by the smooth beats and the nostalgia-inducing samples and vocal scratches, created jazzy boom-bap rap reminiscent of prime De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest and Gang Starr.

Irresistibly bouncing opener "You Need Knowledge" loops sparkling pianos, horns and a nagging whistle refrain with scratched vocal refrains from Slick Rick, Mobb Deep and Guru. The super-smooth head-nod classic "88 Soul" also utilises a beautifully swelling piano line and dusty breaks whilst Quamé reminisces about his childhood in NYC. Deeply moving, the silky, sultry "Black Shakespeare" is built around an elegant piano loop and goes hard on the superman lover tip whilst "For My People...It's Spiritual" is transcendental rap in conversation with Rakim and older gods. The "Moment Of Truth"-sampling "Lonely At The Top" is striking for its undiluted boom-bap stylings and the staccato flute-hop of "Just Listen" is riddled with soulful refinement. The deeply-affecting, wistful-yet-triumphant bells and horn-drenched single "California Dreamin'" is top-tier rap of unimpeachable quality. What a flow!

Another highlight is the rich melodic piano-rap of "Purity", a beautiful ode to the foundations of rap and those keeping the culture authentically alive. Beautifully played instruments and spiritual jazz samples elevate the deep thinking present on "Kunta Kente" whilst the darker jazz-tinged battle-rap of "93 Shit" goes super hard both in a lyrical sense and with its no-holds drum punches. The breezy Rhodes and string loops that serve as the sonic backdrop to the slinky jazz rap of "We Got Plots" are just gorgeous as our hero evokes Common's "I Used To Love H.E.R." with a head-spinning tale of crime, deception and double crossing. And some twist! "Do Win-Dis" has a tense crime-funk backing and rolling beats which complement Quamé's flow perfectly before the record is rounded out by the tough yet jazzy brilliance of rap confessional "Hope She Remembers Me". Just sensational.

Upon its original release, Quamallah himself declared: "My favorite time period for Hip Hop music was definitely between 1983 and 1994 with 1988 and 1993 being two years that standout as extremely impressive years musically and culturally. The fashion, slang, movies, TV shows and vibe during those years was incredible. While totally submerged in the feelings and music of that entire time period, I went to work on Invisible Man and I am excited for people to hear the result! It is an album that I would want to hear from some of my favorite artists of the past and present today. This is not a RETRO trip for me; this is me at my best lyrically and spiritually using the accessories of the 80s and 90s to fuel me. I am a 88 soul as the song states!"

This album goes deep. It goes all in. When Invisible Man first came out it had a real hold on us here at Be With HQ. We couldn't stop listening to it. We'd venture to say it's one of the top 25 rap records of the 2000s. In the years since its release, it has remained a criminally underrated record, an increasingly hidden gem. We sincerely hope this first time double LP release will go some way to correct this. It's been mastered for vinyl by Simon Francis, cut by Cicely Balston and pressed at Record Industry. Finally available on the format it should always have been on, it must never be rendered invisible again.

Once again Grilchy Party is back with more incredible flyness for your ears.This time Da Buze Bruvaz own, HIM LO, steps into the role of executive producer presenting a full length album introducing his team the 67TH INFANTRY..The group consists of the Supreme rhyme writers, Clever 1, his long time BUZE BRUVAZ rhyme partner and the addition of impeccable rhyme catalyst emcee GRAND SCHEME.The album titled: "STAMPEDE OF EQUESTRIANZ" This masterfully well-crafted artwork for your eardrums, sticks to their hardcore script. Da Buze Bruvaz take it up a notch with the inclusion of Grand Scheme, with the usual, rugged ‘n raw, hard hitting, jaw splitting, elegant street talk that we all know and love from the unsober gun holders. It’s an LP full of the barbarian bar rap that their fans expect and appreciate. The project features production from in-house producers such as production Wizard WINO WILLY, High exalted Grand Architect and Master Builder of sound structures GIALLO POINT, the ever elusive Dark ninja of terrorist tracks LORD BEATJITZU...and newest member of the Grilchy Party team, Canadian Sound Sorcerer SENZ BEATS.The album also includes 2 tracks from independent producer STRETCH THE MAD SCIENTIST and is Limited to only one outside feature from the world famous graff writer ENEM SKI. The 67th infantry is getting ready to stampede late March 1 2024.

HIM LO Presents The 67th Infantry
(Stampede of Equestrianz)
Featuring Clever 1 and Grand Scheme

Grilchy Party presents another epic from Da Buze Bruvaz own Clever 1 and mysterious production wizard Lord Beatjitzu. This new adventure follows where the last one, Perverted and Drunken, left off. They have cooked up another album following the footsteps of their classic Perverted and Drunken LP. This new adventure follows where the last one left off. Introducing Master Sip, Legendary Teacher Of Bruce Lo Da First Drunken. It is illuminating one of the many chambers of their Drunken Fly Chi style, the martial arts mind states of Clever 1 and Lord Beatjitzu combining as the "Fly Chi School Of Da Drunken Artz".The duo pops the listener in the face With vicious, bloody Nunchuck Lyrics over high velocity, swift kick in the chest production. With these seasoned masters of their perspective arts they form a powerful, unstoppable combo and truly take no prisoners in this Action-Packed sophomore foray.It's a pure Saturday morning Kung Fu sound theater where Wing Chun enters the world of Drunken Fist on Wax. Beware as you enter the Dojo and watch your step!

Limited edition of 300 copies on CD in jewel case.

In 1994, the Boogiemonsters stepped on the scene with their debut "Riders Of The Storm: The Underwater Album". The quartet consisting of Vex, Mondo, Myntric and Yodared, scored with a bright atmosphere throughout the entire album, pairing food for thought with laid-back productions.

Available in a limited run on 2LP+7", CD in jewel case and cassette.

Following in the footsteps of his famed brother Madlib, Oh No has become one of the most celebrated independent hip-hop artists of the 21st century. His storied career has included not only rap success but an impressive resume behind the boards, with production credits for Mos Def, Freddie Gibbs, De La Soul, Action Bronson, Talib Kweli, Ab-Soul, and more. An innovator in the art of sampling with a history of exploring diverse source material, Oh No is now back with Good Vibes / Bad Vibes, a new instrumental album deconstructing the work of iconic vibraphonist Roy Ayers. A split collection with two thematically distinct halves, the album is entirely constructed from the early, jazz-centric realm of the Ayers archive. Good Vibes is "light and vibrant, with colorful layers radiating under the sun shine,” Oh No explains, while Bad Vibes contains “dark murky atmospheric tones for the angry moments, those times when it’s necessary to step in the mud.”

Fresh 2023 repress of this gem. Jurassic 5 flexed serious old-to-the-new muscles in the ‘90s, beginning with their independently released single “Unified Rebelution” in 1994, and book-ending with their stellar debut full-length: 2000’s Quality Control. They walked a tightrope between underground and mainstream hip-hop, and toured alongside rap peers as well as punk rockers on the Vans Warped Tour. With double the pleasure of your average hip-hop group – two DJs and producers (Cut Chemist and DJ Nu-Mark); and four MCs (Chali 2na, Akil, Marc 7 and Zaakir aka Soup) – they brought the late 1970s “unison MC” style of pioneering groups like the Fantastic 5 and the Force MCs to a new generation. Even more surprisingly, they did so out of Los Angeles, whose hip-hop flavors generally leaned towards Gangsta, G-Funk or Electro lines. Musically inventive and lyrically forward-thinking, each song on Quality Control is a new adventure, exploring engaging territory, delivered via one of the best live hip-hop shows fans had seen in years. From singles like the strutting groove of the title track to the throwback doo-wop samples on “The Influence” and the catchy, keyboard groove-driven “World of Entertainment (WOE Is Me),” to deeper album tracks like the lyrical gymnastics of “Jurass Finish First” and the thought-provoking “Lausd,” Jurassic 5 consistently stepped to the plate and their fans responded in kind, nearly pushing the album to Gold status. Add the innovative DJ-and-sample workout which closes out the album, “Swing Set,” and you have one of the 2000s’ most unique and solid full-length platters.

Limited edition of 500 copies on black vinyl 1LP with printed inner sleeve.

For us, the Canadian undergound scene of the mid-to-late 90's has something very special about it and delivered a few magic releases. Combining progressive beats with thoughtful rhymes, "Rush Of The Planet" of Toronto's legendary Brass Tacks crew from 1997 is one of those nuggets with a massive impact not only to us. Step into the realm of Battle Cat and Diamond Eye's and let your mind blow.

Available in a limited run on black vinyl 1LP, CD in jewel case, cassette and digitally on all major platforms.

For the first time officially on wax, the Hiero Oldies is a collection of early works from the Hieroglyphics crew featuring Del The Funkyhomosapien, Casual, Pep Love, and Souls of Mischief. This also marks the first official vinyl release of the timeless tune "Step To My Girl".

The Oakland-based Hieroglyphics are a long-running, influential underground rap collective who combine an offbeat sensibility with a strong grounding in battle rhyming, freestyling, and other hip-hop traditions. Thanks to a significant online presence and constant touring, Hiero gained a healthy following among rap fans seeking an alternative to the increasingly commercialized state of the genre.

Following the success of the initial release, Skyzoo and The Other Guys present their sequel of sorts with the deluxe edition of "The Mind of a Saint", their critically acclaimed concept album which debuted at number 1 on the hip hop charts in the country upon release week. The album, which sees the fictional character Franklin Saint of the heralded FX series "Snowfall" step into a vocal booth and tell his story as an early 80's drug kingpin, suffering from the grief and stresses that come with the title. The original release saw members of the television series speak openly about the project, including the show's lead character, actor Damson Idris, who spoke glowingly of the album in Rolling Stone. After the series wrapped, Skyzoo and The Other Guys went back into the studio to let Franklin wrap up his story to align with the show's finale. A darker turn than its predecessor, this deluxe edition adds 7 extra songs, clocking in at 40+ minutes of new music, with Skyzoo once again channeling his inner Franklin Saint and letting the heartache pour one final time before the book is closed.

Following the success of the initial release, Skyzoo and The Other Guys present their sequel of sorts with the deluxe edition of "The Mind of a Saint", their critically acclaimed concept album which debuted at number 1 on the hip hop charts in the country upon release week. The album, which sees the fictional character Franklin Saint of the heralded FX series "Snowfall" step into a vocal booth and tell his story as an early 80's drug kingpin, suffering from the grief and stresses that come with the title. The original release saw members of the television series speak openly about the project, including the show's lead character, actor Damson Idris, who spoke glowingly of the album in Rolling Stone. After the series wrapped, Skyzoo and The Other Guys went back into the studio to let Franklin wrap up his story to align with the show's finale. A darker turn than its predecessor, this deluxe edition adds 7 extra songs, clocking in at 40+ minutes of new music, with Skyzoo once again channeling his inner Franklin Saint and letting the heartache pour one final time before the book is closed.

Once again Grilchy Party is back with more incredible flyness for your ears.This time Da Buze Bruvaz own, HIM LO, steps into the role of executive producer presenting a full length album introducing his team the 67TH INFANTRY..The group consists of the Supreme rhyme writers, Clever 1, his long time BUZE BRUVAZ rhyme partner and the addition of impeccable rhyme catalyst emcee GRAND SCHEME.The album titled: "STAMPEDE OF EQUESTRIANZ" This masterfully well-crafted artwork for your eardrums, sticks to their hardcore script. Da Buze Bruvaz take it up a notch with the inclusion of Grand Scheme, with the usual, rugged ‘n raw, hard hitting, jaw splitting, elegant street talk that we all know and love from the unsober gun holders. It’s an LP full of the barbarian bar rap that their fans expect and appreciate. The project features production from in-house producers such as production Wizard WINO WILLY, High exalted Grand Architect and Master Builder of sound structures GIALLO POINT, the ever elusive Dark ninja of terrorist tracks LORD BEATJITZU...and newest member of the Grilchy Party team, Canadian Sound Sorcerer SENZ BEATS.The album also includes 2 tracks from independent producer STRETCH THE MAD SCIENTIST and is Limited to only one outside feature from the world famous graff writer ENEM SKI. The 67th infantry is getting ready to stampede late March 1 2024.

HIM LO Presents The 67th Infantry
(Stampede of Equestrianz)
Featuring Clever 1 and Grand Scheme

Terrace Martin is known for being the main producer on Kendrick Lamar's historic masterpiece To Pimp A Butterfly. His debut album 3ChordFold, released in 2013, is finally available on vinyl!

When this album was released in 2013, he was still not well-known worldwide, but had already gained a following as a notable producer in the hip-hop and jazz worlds. The album features guest appearances from a number of great musicians, including Kendrick Lamar, Robert Glasper, Snoop Dogg, Ab-Soul, Wiz Khalifa, Lalah Hathaway, Musiq Soulchild, Ty Dolla $ign and 9th wonder. It should also be noted that a number of artists who stepped up later have participated on the album.

The style of seamlessly combining sampling and instrumental performance to freely cross hip-hop, soul, and jazz is reminiscent of the Soulquarians, and is showcased in a cover of 'I'm For Real,' an 80's urban soul gem by Howard Hewett, featuring with a star-studded lineup including Snoop Dogg and Lalah Hathaway. Kendrick Lamar is featured on the exquisite mellow tune 'Triangle Ship', which samples the AOR classic 'What You Won't Do For Love' by Bobby Caldwell. "No Wrong No Right" is a collaboration between Jazz pianist Robert Glasper and James Fauntleroy, who was given seven songwriting credits on Bruno Mars' Grammy-winning album 24K Magic. "Watch U Sleep" is produced and featured by Focus, who was a big hit on Dr. Dre's remarkable returning album "Compton".

The long awaited official release of "Thy Kingdom Come"! "Thy Kingdom Come", originally scheduled for release on June 30, 1998 on Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment, is the fifth studio album from King Tee. Recorded at the same time as the multi-platinum albums Dr. Dre - "2001" and Eminem - "The Slim Shady LP", "Thy Kingdom Come" features guest appearances from Dr. Dre, MC Ren (N.W.A.), DJ Quik, Too $hort, NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal, Ice-T, Kool G Rap, Dawn Robinson (En Vogue, Lucy Pearl) - to name a few. Production on the album was handled by Dr. Dre (Eminem, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Xzibit), Mike Dean (Kanye West, Beyoncé, The Weeknd, Jay-Z), DJ Quik (2Pac, Snoop Dogg), Bud'da (Aaliyah, Ice Cube) and Dr. Dre's Aftermath producers DJ Battlecat, Stu B Doo, Chris "The Glove" Taylor and Fredwreck, as well as Ant Banks, Step One and SLJ. The album was mixed and supervised by Dr. Dre. Remastered in high-resolution 24-bit 44.1 kHz audio in 2022.

Late arrival, coming next week.
Black Friday Record Store Day 2022 Reissue. Color: Random. Limitation:For RSD Black Friday Delicious Vinyl presents this key material from Jay Dee’s output in a never before issued and not to be repeated random colored vinyl assortment. Shortly after Jay Dee’s younger brother Illa J’s solo debut was issued on Delicious Vinyl, the label and the artist knew the next step in honoring Jay Dee’s legacy was to issue the complete instrumentals from Yancey Boys as a stand-alone release. This mother lode of previously untouched (at the time) beats dates as far back as Jay Dee’s time working on the Pharcyde’s sophomore album, 1995’s Labcabincalifornia. As Delicious Vinyl owner Michael Ross explains, “From ‘95 through ’98 Jay Dee was my go-to guy for hot beats and remixes. He was always making beats, always. So there was a select amount of tracks that he composed for me during that time, tracks as good as anything he’d done, only they never got used.” Once these beats were used for Illa J’s Yancey Boys they were presented to the public on Yancey Boys Instrumentals.

Coby Sey steps out with his remarkable debut album 'Conduit'. "'Conduit' is a statement of intent, reaffirming my dedication to transcend the tangible through music – it’s my way to continue and contribute to the musical lineage laid by those before me, locally and worldwide." - Coby Sey

DJ Quik is a giant of West Coast hip-hop. With his fourth album Rhythm-Al-Ism he created his masterpiece, a perfect hip-hop album. As Quik explains, “the name Rhythm-Al-Ism alone tells you what I was doing. I was mixing up rhythms. I was meshing R&B with hip-hop and jazz. And a little bit of comedy”. It’s absolutely sensational and as with a lot of mid-90s albums those original vinyl copies are now rare so here’s the Be With re-issue. A preternaturally gifted producer/rapper, DJ Quik has produced scores of LA gangsta rap classics. He’s released platinum and gold records of his own, as well as helped craft them for the likes of Tupac, Snoop Dogg, and Dr Dre. Quik has always been quirkier and more interesting than his gangsta rap peers, both musically and lyrically. An old-school funk producer at heart, he’s also incredibly nice on the mic. His raps often deal in boasts, jokes and good times but also cover his beefs, his trials and his trauma. Partying and pain, all mixed up. DJing and producing hype beat tapes from age 14, Quik’s tracks blended the languid funk and rubbery synths of Zapp and George Clinton with a gangsta aesthetic, creating a more danceable foil to Compton’s more typical nihilistic hedonism. Ultimately, his records sound custom engineered to drift out over sun-soaked barb

Hugo Kant 3rd album, Out Of Time.
© Bellring 2017

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

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

High Focus Records regular and member of UK rap super group The Four Owls, Verb T has joined forces with production wizard Pitch 92 for the new album ‘Good Evening’. Pitch, who has spent the past few years as the musical mastermind behind the award winning
Mouse Outfit collective has excelled himself on this release bringing to the table a delectable selection of funk & soul infused bangers serving as the perfect backdrop for Verb T to unleash his smooth brand of thoughtful lyrics and hooks.
Having spent 3 years writing for ‘Good Evening’ Verb T has put forward some of his most personal rhymes to date, delivered with a new found passion that sees the veteran build on a body of work that stretches back to the days of Low Life Records and now sees him as a major part of the ever expanding High Focus Records movement. The album features guest vocals from UK giants Ocean Wisdom, Jehst, DRS, Fliptrix, BVA, King Kashmere of Strange U, Sparkz, Black Josh, Rye Shabby, Confucious MC and Moreone.
Individually, Verb T and Pitch 92 have accomplished a huge amount, however with ‘Good Evening’ both artists have put forward arguably the best work of their careers. Built from scratch with the live show element in mind, this album really feels like a party, Good Evening! Enjoy!

All tracks produced and arranged by Apollo Brown!

"...too G to take a knee, still I gave you all of me.” A pivotal force in the early ‘10s NYC rap revival, now LA-based rapper and producer Chuck Strangers steps into the limelight on new solo LP A Forsaken Lover’s Plea out March 15th. The album sounds markedly lush, candid rhymes bolstered by a slew of guest producers—including The Alchemist, Animoss and Strangers himself. Chuck’s own production feels current without ditching its previous homeliness, a seamless compliment to his honest, lived-in raps. A collection of fellow NY natives lace the album with guest verses, from Pro Era comrade Joey Bada$$ & Flatbush Zombies’ Erick the Architect to Queens’ own Remy Banks. Production credits include Californian beat veteran The Alchemist and the masterful Strangers himself. Strangers’ tangled romance with hip-hop is the crux of the project—the culmination of a decade’s unwavering dedication to his craft, with its lofty highs, inevitable lows, and rough lessons of humility, patience, and process. It’s Chuck’s most comprehensive solo project since Consumers Park, his 2018 debut, and follows The Boys & Girls EP, released in May 2023.

Grammy®-nominated hip-hop pioneer Warren G is a Long Beach rapper who formed the legendary group 213 (named after the city's area code) with Nate Dogg and Snoop Dogg, who went on to collaborate with step-brother Dr. Dre on The Chronic (providing the samples for 'Nuthin' But a G-Thang') and contribute the track 'Indo Smoke' with Mista Grimm and Nate Dogg on the Poetic Justice soundtrack. After a lively bidding war, Warren signed to Def Jam, which released his debut album, Regulate... G Funk Era in 1994, with the title track climbing to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. In celebration of Def Jam's 30th Anniversary UMe will be releasing a '20th Anniversary Extended Edition' version with three new EDM remixes by Destructo & Wax Motif, Photek and Jauz.

Plus One is the brand-new album from Brooklyn-based artist Lindsay Powell aka Fielded. While Fielded has put out several solo projects steeped in their trademark psychedelic R&B, they also has quietly built a reputation as a genre-bending vocalist and sought-after musical collaborator. Plus One turns that dynamic on its head, bringing together an indie music elite on Fielded’s guest list including Armand Hammer, Felicia Douglass, Kenny Segal, They Hate Change, DJ Haram, Wolf Weston, The Lasso, Child Actor and Steel Tipped Dove.

“I’ve offered myself in blips and breaths and moments, sighing under a powerful lyric, or punctuating another vocalist’s breakthrough performance,” Fielded says. “We wanted to see what could happen when I brought those same artists in to add flourishes to my visions and depth to my stories.”

Plus One is executive produced by billy woods, building on a creative partnership that goes back to the rapper’s 2019 album, Terror Management. Since then Fielded has engineered, produced and performed on a slew of Backwoodz Studioz releases, in addition to putting out two projects on the label- 2020’s Demisexual Lovelace and 2021’s Young Medusa- in addition to their extensive outside commitments. That history is reflected in the breadth of Plus One’s collaborations; Fielded stole the show on Small Bills “Safehouse,” the first song on ELUCID and The Lasso’s 2019 album Don’t Play It Straight. Here they reunite, cooking up a slinky R&B banger with “Waves.” Wolf Weston and Fielded traded harmonies on Saint Mela’s 2020 EP all for this strange baptism, and Weston returns the favor to fantastic effect on “Goddess Woes.” In 2019, Fielded joined forces with Fat Tony and Steel Tipped Dove for the Houston rapper’s Don’t Move EP. On Plus One, both artists step into her world and find their footing effortlessly—Tony on the woozy numbness of “Where I Came From,” and Dove with a stumbling cascade of drum and piano on “World’s Away.” Yet, it’s some of the newest pairings that yield the ripest fruit. Kenny Segal and Fielded combine for two album highlights, and A. Billi Free pops up for the record’s biggest curveball (unless you give that to Florida rappers They Hate Change setting fire to an ELUCID beat). Through it all, Fielded holds court, always taking or leaving exactly what the song requires.

“It is an album telling full stories, walking through valleys and cities, landscapes rich and sometimes heartbreaking,” Fielded explains. ”No one is filler. Everyone has been welcomed and valued. Everyone made the work weird, wonderful and honest, and for that I am grateful.”

Pittsburgh artist Gregg Gillis (a.k.a. Girl Talk) has scrupulously created music from samples for over eight years. His fourth album on the Illegal Art label, Feed the Animals, continues his sonic evolution towards his party-infested live show and steps even closer towards a creation that is centered on pop musicality rather than attention-deficit sample splicing.

The soundtrack is made to listen to while cleaning your weapons and getting ready for a hunt. Da Buze Bruvaz own Him Lo is set to switch things up slightly with his co-host BIG NAWZ, who was last heard on Da Buze Bruvaz's critically acclaimed Drinkin Beerz wit Prostitutez LP with a rugged verse on the aptly titled track "Muscle". The duo has joined forces to be known as DA CRIME CUZZINZ and present a 7-track project titled "YELLOW TAPE N SHELL CASEZ." This project is laced with beats from some of Grilchy Party's imperial home team sound surgeons, including Wino Willy, Lord Beatjitzu, and Giallo Point. The only feature is from Clever One, the other half of Da Buze Bruvaz. Him Lo and NAWZ go back and forth slipping into black gloves mode for the duration. Adding to Da Buze Bruvaz's already prolific output, this one is presented with those who have an appreciation for rugged, hardbody HipHop in mind. Watch your step entering the crime scene and try to step over the yellow tape.

On Seeds, Georgia Muldrow takes a step back and leaves the beatmaking to Otis Jackson Jr., aka Madlib. As producers, Muldrow and Jackson are not worlds apart, so the switch requires no adjustment on the part of the listener. That said, this is one dense and tight set, barely over half-an-hour in length, and it's definitely in contention for Muldrow's most focused, funkiest, and (somewhat ironically) personal release to date. Throughout the record, the emphasis remains heavily fixated on her family as a unit of salvation and purpose. The most direct track of the lot is "Husfriend," where she honors her relationship with Dudley Perkins (a/k/a Declaime, who appears on “The Few”). Muldrow can't quite divorce the planetary and personal issues, heard vividly on "Best Love," which sounds just like a simple, sweet, straight-ahead love song until she starts asking her other half for money to build water wells on three continents ("We can make a difference if we try now"). Overall, Seeds is another left-field deviation in Muldrow's career: it's one of her most captivating and immediate front-to-back statements of purpose as a singer, but it's also the first album where she's handed over all the production duties to somebody else. In celebration of this album’s decenary run, Someothaship Connect is pleased to reintroduce an anniversary edition repress of this captivating release in partnership with Fat Beats.

Limited edition of 300 copies on CD in jewel case.

For us, the Canadian undergound scene of the mid-to-late 90's has something very special about it and delivered a few magic releases. Combining progressive beats with thoughtful rhymes, "Rush Of The Planet" of Toronto's legendary Brass Tacks crew from 1997 is one of those nuggets with a massive impact not only to us. Step into the realm of Battle Cat and Diamond Eye's and let your mind blow.

Available in a limited run on black vinyl 1LP, CD in jewel case, cassette and digitally on all major platforms.