US Hip Hop 342 Items

When Kay the Aquanaut says, the American dream is a nightmare... and the nightmare is everywhere, on the track American Expre$$ from his latest collaboration, 7 Vessels, with producer Factor Chandelier, it resonates in a way that is particularly salient in these uneasy times. But despite this nightmare, 7 Vessels provides a life raft in the midst of a sea of disingenuousness. 7 Vessels is Kay and Factor Chandeliers sixth album together and the culmination of their long-running collaborative relationship. The result is a work that incorporates Factor Chandeliers signature meticulous hip hop production work seamlessly with Kays thought-provoking lyrics. Chandelier, known for sample-free beats and live instrumentation, creates a soundscape that is so sophisticated that it reveals something new on each listen. On his tenth release, Kay has solidied his reputation as a captivating songwriter and fresh voice. The sharp social commentary combined with the intricate and multi-layered production gives 7 Vessels a power and authenticity that is rare. And despite the political slant of the album, 7 Vessels is still a smooth, sailboat deck at sunset journey through waves of moods. With appearances by Ceschi and Paranoid Castle, the album creates a sense of community weaving together dierent voices.

The mark that the late producer J Dilla left upon hip-hop during the 90s and early-to-mid 00s is undeniable, and his work with De La Soul, Busta Rhymes, The Pharcyde, and many more has long been cemented in the annals of hip-hop history. It was during his time as a member of seminal Detroit group Slum Village however that ranks as among his greatest. His work with rappers Baatin and T3 would be a strong influence upon
modern rappers like Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar, and earn widespread critical praise, and comparisons to other legendary groups like A Tribe Called Quest. In speaking retrospectively on their most famous album ""Fan-Tas-Tic Vol. 1"", The Roots' drummer Questlove has said of the release that it "single-handedly birthed neo-soul."

J Dilla has been gone for over 10 years now, and Slum Village has moved on from their time with the legendary beatsmith, recruiting new members along the way. Despite this, new Dilla compositions are still being discovered, and his legacy continues to be shared and celebrated with a modern hip-hop audience. Ne'Astra Music Group now presents a new compilation of rare Dilla material: Vol. 0. Ten tracks featuring the classic Slum
Village lineup of Dilla on vocals and production, with Baatin & T3 also on the mic, collected by modern SV member Young RJ from unreleased material and demos recorded between 1994 and 1997. The knowledgable hip-hop head may recognize key tracks from the circulated EPHCY Sessions, while others have never seen the light of day. A piece of hip-hop history that would have otherwise wallowed in obscurity, until now.

The third full length from enigmatic Texas folk-hop producer, Sixo, features vocal appearances by Open Mike Eagle, Milo, Ceschi, Onry Ozzborn, Myka 9, Awol One, Gregory Pepper, Grace Park, Heir Max & Josh Martinez.

Only 21 numbered copies made with custom Threshold test labels!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Californian keyboardist & beatmaker Kiefer (birthname Kiefer Shackelford) drops his debut LP on Leaving Records, which has “enough jazz piano chops to transform L.A.’s Low End Theory into a smokey speak easy.”

Exclusive to HHV in Europe!

Strangers Of Necessity consist of young upcoming producer, CoryAyo from Iowa City, IA, and veteran rhyme sayer, Fooch the MC, from Chicago,IL. The two connected by chance via twitter, after Cory saw Fooch in a 319 cypher video on youtube. They linked up offline and quickly became friends, sparking an immediate chemistry and need to make quality hip-hop music together; hence the name Strangers Of Necessity. They instantly began recording music and doing shows locally, generating a small buzz in the area. With CoryAyo's affiliation with London, UK based netlabel, Hard Jazz 7, and Fooch being an artist on Mic Hand Recordings, they knew they had the launch pad needed to release their debut EP, Tangerine Avenue.

Their sound is best described as a fresh take on that golden era of hip-hop, blending tasteful jazz and soul samples, crisp snares, boomy kicks on wonky patterns with a soulful delivery, dense schemes and potent punch-lines that hit peaks before unseen. Strangers Of Necessity now better acquainted and constantly adding shows to their calendar, are hoping to bring you retro fresh beats and rhymes that speak to right now; giving you that feeling that can only be described as ""goose bump music."

This is a very limited edition of only a few test pressings made of Kutmasta Kurt & Kool Keith's collaborative 1997 EP, “Your Mom Is My Wife”.

KutMasta Kurt Digs deep into his archives to put together this compelling 6 track EP of previously unreleased recordings he and Keith recorded in 1996-1997. This Post “Sex Style” and Pre “Dr. Dooom” material helps further illustrate why they are one of Hip-Hop's favorite collaborators from the 90’s and beyond.

Limited CD version!

Originally recorded in 1991, but finally released in 1994, the "Suckas Brevity/Hostile Lifestyle" 12-inch by New Jersey MC & producer Beneficence is what you would probably refer to as an "obscure record". Only 100 copies were ever pressed on indie label Big House Records, so Herring & Beneficence's label Ill Adrenaline thought it might be a good idea to bring back the 12-inch material and to add some previously unreleased Beneficence jawn from the 90's. Chopped Herring Records is proud to present "Contents Under Pressure". Peep it folks!

Only one copy per customer!
Limited edition of 350 copies only!

The main question might still be, how does a cat born in 1997 make such an authentic "mid-90's-sounding" record? Answer: Dope influences. MC Gels out of the Bronx, recorded his debut album "Wandering Souls" last year.

The final Herring drop for early 2017 is MC Gels' debut release from early in 2016 - now available on wax for the first time. Following on from last year's "Wandering Souls" LP on Chopped Herring, this heater produced by Chief Rugged had to make its way onto wax - straight out the BX, the young MC Gels - "Da Funkee Man"..

Truth, elite lyricism, and production that rivals some of Hip Hop's most critically acclaimed albums are the glue to King Magnetic's sophomore album.

An intoxicating blend of smooth, yet hardcore Hip Hop, is sure to leave the most hardcore fan stunned, purists with their jaws on the floor and 'Hipsters' jealous they didn't catch on sooner. "Everything Happens 4 A Reason" is a refreshing, raw, and truthful peek into the life of an artist balancing life issues and success. There's a noticeable growth in artistry without alienating the loyal base of listeners Magnetic has accumulated over the years. When everything and everyone changes on you, it might be a blessing in disguise. “Everything Happens 4 A Reason”...

Only 1 per customer!

Limited edition of 400 copies pressed on Gun Smoke Clear vinyl.

Part 2 of the “Loose Cannons” 45 vinyl series featuring joints produced by Bozack Morris with the illest rappers out there. This limited release features Meyhem Lauren with “Reality Rap” on the A-side and Tut with “'03 Infiniti” on the B-side.

Ill Camille, LA hip hop's female perspective.

Ill Camille has been a vital member of the LA music scene for some years. Kendrick Lamar used her vocals prominently for the “good kid, m.A.A.d city” track “Sing about me”, she has been working with other TDE artists occasionally and spend a lot of time writing for different projects Terrance Martin was involved with.

At the same time Camille was developing her own material with her fellow peers such as MNDSGN, Iman Omari, DJ Battlecat, Like (Pac Div) Georgia Anne Muldrow & SIR who are all featured on her album “Heirloom” just like TDE co-president Punch. “Heirloom” productions range from smooth, g-funk esque west coast beats to live & organic soulful beats, working as the perfect backdrop for Camille's powerful, intelligent and thought thru lyrics

The album is deeply personal revolving around the issues that mater in her life from friends and family, her role as a woman and the heirloom of her and her surrounding: “I feel like everyone are heirlooms of our mothers and fathers. An heirloom is just something that’s passed down through a family. We get heirlooms in the form of game, encouragement or wise words. I know everyone has an aunt or uncle that’s given them some bars about life in general. I have a village around me that have given me heirlooms in the form of conversations”.

Taken from the forthcoming BBE digital LP, Colo(u)rs Of The World, Hip Hop production man of substance, Chris Read hooks up Chicago’s Pugs Atomz to bring us these two jazzy hip hop choons bringing back memories of early Pharcyde vibes.

Vendetta Vinyl presents with “Box Cutter Brothers Volume 4” the next chapter in this series by Ayatollah & Drasar Monumental.
Instead of strictly rocking instrumentals like the first three releases, they both decided to get in the booth and go for broke. Yeah, both of them rhyme, produce, and DJ! “Box Cutter Brothers Volume 4” is truly a highly explosive piece of artwork. No frills, no tinker bell beats, no copping pleas, no bozo bars – Just serious wreck by two serious brothers!!

Here's another volume of treats from the Othorized archives. Unreleased tracks include the studio version of “Mugshots” (demo version #2), “Kwue's Body Shop”, and “Krakow”. “Bring It On” gets its first vinyl treatment after initially appearing on the group's 1st “Amendment” CDr in 2001. “Flamboyant Rap” you likely know from their 1995 12" and “Money Getters” from their 1994 debut single.
All tracks written and produced by Othorized Fam. Cover art by Spek The Architek, logo design by Othorized, labels by Debonair P.

DJ BK is back in full effect with tracks by Ras Kass, Aesop Rock & Homeboy Sandman, Emanon, Bumpy Knuckles, General Steele, Vinnie Paz and many others. Tip!

Olivier St.Louis (the artist formerly known as Olivier Daysoul) releases his 2nd EP to start 2017 with some melancholic vibes.

After releasing a collaborative EP with Warp's Bibio, who is also featured as a producer on “Ever since the fall”, this 2nd solo release by the Olivier St.Louis marks the starting point of worldwide liveshow efforts for Olivier 2017. After a successful UK Tour with Laura Mvula, Olivier is getting ready to join AnnenMayKantereit for another Tour in spring 2017 to support his upcoming release “Ever since the fall EP”, out on Jakarta Records in February 2017. Six tracks somewhere in between lo-fi soul, drum computer sounds, warm basslines and funk trenched live compositions. Olivier will also join his partner in crime Oddisee for his “The Iceberg” Wolrd Tour until summer.

Olivier St.Louis went on to receive significant international attention for his work as a featured singer/songwriter back then still under the name Olivier Daysoul. He worked and toured worldwide with various artists including Oddisee, C2C, Onra, Bibio and Hudson Mohawke as such as other producers from the Warp Records family. Despite all of this, Olivier felt something was missing...A true reflection of his own voice and sound. Less bass music, more organic soul, less producer features and more independent unique compositions all by himself.

Brooklyn, New York City based MC Thirstin Howl III is known for his unique style and sometimes comical and humorous rhymes. He is of Puerto Rican descent and raps in both Spanish and English. In 1997 he won the Source's Unsigned Hype award. He also owns and operates his own label, Skillionaire Enterprises.
Now, one of the illest MC's in the game blesses Chopped Herring with some previously never pressed on vinyl classics from the 1999 debut release "Skillionaire. Peep these joints from "Skillionaire" on wax for the very first time plus the bonus "Prostitute joint" featuring an early Meyhem Lauren. You won’t regret it!

Only one copy per customer!

Smoke On Records announces the album "Unreleased Siccness" by Brain Sick Mob. The CD version contains the two bonus tracks "Here is the Proof" and "Strugglin".

Repress 2023
After the release of his 2011 debut ‘Blue Slide Park’, Mac Miller started using promethazine to cope with the album’s negative reviews and subsequent stress of his Macadelic tour.
Maybe that’s why his second LP proper, ‘Watching Movies With The Sound Off’, is hazy and somewhat introspective. “You was Easy Mac with the cheesy raps / Who the f*ck is Mac Miller?” a male voice asks midway through the 70-minute recording.
He doesn’t get too personal; instead, Miller spits disoriented rhymes atop an equally disjointed soundtrack. He glorifies his drug habit one moment while atoning for it the next. “Halleluah, thank God I have a future,” Miller raps on ‘The Star Room’; “Praying I don’t waste it getting faded.”
With ‘Movies’, Miller channels his past addiction into an impressive set of stoner rap, far beyond the carefree ‘Blue Slide Park.’ These sounds are heavier and Miller flows naturally in this element. He still likes a good time, but he’s giving us more of himself in the process. Looks like he’s growing up after all. - clashmusic.com

Copy is close to NM!

Gatefold cover has a Stuffed corner, close to NM. Vinyl is close to NM. US reissue from 2010.

Tha Alkaholiks bring you the next installment of Likwit Crew classics with E & J Soundsystem, "Rubber Bands." Tha Liks prove, once again, real Hip Hop is still alive and inebriated with hard hitting lyrics and a head banging beat in true DJ E-Swift fashion. The single is crowned by a music video shot in Australia fresh off the NWA world tour. This Transparent “Beer” colored 7” vinyl is limited to a 500 piece pressing.

Red Pill of Ugly Heroes fame is about to release another dope EP for 2015!

Virginia hiphop stalwarts MC Rapper Big Pooh & grammy-award winning producer Nottz team up to create a homage to their origins in their new album “Home Sweet Home”.

The Sad Clown Bad Dub series is back, except this time happy... Originally released as a limited promo CD only, Atmosphere's The Fun EP (Happy Clown Bad Dub 8) is re-packaged and reformatted on vinyl for the first time ever in this 12'' smiley face picture disc. Featuring 8 tracks from Slug and Ant, including bonus track ''Pretty Broad'' as well as alternate versions of ''Say Hey There'' and ''Panic Attack'' off of the critically acclaimed 2005 release You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having. Packaging includes plastic LP jacket, custom obi-insert, and a free digital download card.

Paul White, South London purveyor of crumpled psych-hop beats and Danny Brown’s go-to UK producer, has unveiled an album-length collaboration with Florida rapper-singer Eric Biddines.