US Hip Hop 160 Items

BigM Productions is back full force!

The sixth album from legendary hip-hop group Souls of Mischief, There Is Only Now, is a unique cinematic 90s crime tale of love, loss, and revenge. A conceptual collaboration with producer Adrian Younge and the first release on his freshly launched Linear Labs Records label. This ambitious full-length offering will be available in July. There Is Only Now sees the Souls of Mischief crew members trading bars with a cast of hip-hop and soul luminaries. This, the first single from the project, will hit in June with Snoop Dogg and the title track “There Is Only Now” on the A-Side. The 7” vinyl is housed in a deluxe, die cut sleeve emblazoned with the Linear Labs and Souls of Mischief logos tucked into a full color jacket. This is your first taste from a full-length destined to be among the best albums to be released in 2014. Souls of Mischief and Adrian Younge have created a hip-hop album like no other. The result of a special moment for all involved, There Is Only Now proves that after two decades in the rap game hip-hop’s Fab Four remains committed to the expansion of their legacy as hip-hop innovators and pioneers.

This banger features none other than Action Bronson. Meyhem and Action have been partners in crime for some time as the East Coast Underground team known as the Outdoorsmen, and on here they run the voodoo down with a granite rock beat from Multi-Platinum producer of D.I.T.C. fame, Buckwild.

Only 500 of these collector’s items will be made (each pressed on colored wax & housed in a one-of-a-kind silkscreened sleeve). #6 features exclusive & unreleased tracks by J.Rocc and Kutmah and is pressed on opaque gray vinyl.

Limited edition for Record Store Day 2014

2013 is officially under way, and we're celebrating with this limited-edition 7" featuring three artists who'll be releasing some of the most highly anticipated Nature Soundsprojects this year.

Limited edition for Record Store Day 2013

Only 1 per cutomer!

Trusted with a culture kept under the concrete, the warning has been spread for years. Many assumed their operations were limited to underground societies or secret networks. But, The Black Opera have been among us all along. The time to hide is behind them. There will be no riot; the revolution has already taken place. The Great Year has come.

The newest movement from The Black Opera is truth. After the telling of the three part epic, The Black Op: Era I, TBO has returned without allegory or allusion. The Great Year is a modern story of emergence and art- a resistance to assimilation. It is a story of triumph and camaraderie and a renaissance of new thinking.

The new album’s influences musically are as diverse as they are aesthetically. From tribal rhythms to overdriven synths and from pulsing drums to intimate vocals, The Great Year’s sound is distinctly its own. Taking on a modern day palette, TBO has envisioned a new world, musically. With orchestration from creative minds like Tall Black Guy, Waajeed, yU and Arjun Singh, The Black Opera have assembled a team to help them communicate their message to the world.

Box set incl. bonus cd, t-shirt (size L), poster & sticker!

The second single from the Gutter Snypes. Cel One has been hidden away at a secret training camp. And now he returns to deliver a mighty "Sucker Punch". Flipped with "Jillian", the seedy story of one very high class hooker!

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.

Limited edition for the Cassette Store Day 2014!

Cormega teams up with Raekwon on a Large Professor beat, the instrumental is on the B as well. Limited edition of 500 copies on red transparent vinyl!

Soundsci returns with two new remixes off their "Soundsational" album on a limited 7in single!

New material from Detroit's Guilty Simpson on production from Russia's Musca!

Ill Adrenaline Records and Soul Tools Entertainment proudly present a new collaborative project by top-notch producer Confidence (of Rashad/Purpose & Confidence fame) and Detroit hip-hop duo The Regiment!

In an age of slammin’ superhero crossovers, get ready for a Hip-Hop team-up to beat them all: Slimkid3 & DJ Nu-Mark! With the Delicious Vinyl release of their album-length eponymous collaboration, the legendary Pharcyde MC and Jurassic 5 DJ/producer have created a soulful Hip-Hop soundtrack for the ages. Ever since his time as a founding member of The Pharcyde, Slimkid3 has stood out for his relationship raps, both warm-hearted and coolly observant. As an innovative member Jurassic 5, DJ Nu-Mark has long propelled golden era sounds into the future.

"Ding ding! True school is in session!" trumpeted okayplayer.com when Tre & Nu-Mark released their freebie EP Another Day, Another Dollar in 2011. The duo knew they were onto something good, and re-upped to create new music. The new album's standout tracks include, "King" featuring Diamond D, "I Know, Didn't I" a savvy flip of Dorando's soul classic, and presented here the reggae-fueled summer jam "Bom Bom Fiya”, with "Bouillon", featuring Del and Murs.

Stix Records rounds up all recent Mato’s 7inches anthems into this extended player, with all the cuts remastered for the occasion ... this collection
also includes four unreleased hits: “Gangsta Lovin’” by Eve, “La Saga”
by IAM, “Whateva Man” by Redman and “Off The Books” by The Beatnuts.

Black Jungle Squad Rapper & California native Oliver the 2nd's debut solo EP "The Kill Off", out on cassette!

El-P and Killer Mike are Run The Jewels. The duo’s self- titled, collaborative record – a contender for hip-hop album of the year – will be released throughout Europe in December via Big Dada.

Woof, woof, the original OFWGKTA Wolf is back!

Copy n° 96 / 300

Delicious Vinyl will soon release "Sunset Blvd.", the all new album from Yancey Boys, the group piloted by John “Illa J” Yancey and Frank Nitt. The dynamic new collection is built around previously unheard tracks created by Illa J’s brother: the late, great J Dilla (James Yancey). With Frank Nitt’s standing as J Dilla Music Catalog Curator and the official approval of Yancey Media Group, all productions on "Sunset Blvd." originate from The Lost Scrolls — the stunning cache of beats Dilla left behind.
The first official single from "Sunset Blvd." is "Quicksand" which features Common & Dezi Paige. And the B-Side is no sleeper; “The Fisherman” is a full-court press featuring a chorus from Vice and blistering rhymes from Detroit Serious and cuts by J.Rocc of Beat Junkies. The track is, as Frank Nitt promises, “guaranteed to make you bang your head!” Nitt also reminds us that “this isn’t a nostalgia trip: Dilla’s beats were so future-forward that they’re right on time in 2013.”

Following the critically acclaimed "Pillars" EP with MindsOne, Kev Brown teams up again with Ill Adrenaline Records, this time collaborating with fellow Low Budget Crew member Hassaan Mackey to bless listeners with "That Grit".
Both the Washington D.C. based producer-on-the-mic and the Rochester, NY emcee are longtime members of the prolific artist collective and have previously worked together various times, but this mini-album marks the first time the two embark on a full project. Most boom-bap enthusiasts should already be well acquainted with both Kev Brown and Hassaan Mackey: double threat Kev Brown already showcased his skills on microphones as well as production boards on countless releases and has been dubbed "king of basslines" by fans worldwide. In addition to his solo recordings Kev's credits include beats for heavyweights like Busta Rhymes, Biz Markie, De La Soul, Jazzy Jeff, and Marley Marl just to name a few, as well as handling entire album production for LMNO, Kaimbr, and Raw Poetic. Hassaan Mackey released a string of albums, including a full-length LP with Apollo Brown, and appearances on releases by Oddissee, Kaimbr, The Left and L'Orange.
Recorded during a series of impromptu bus and train trips Hassaan took from Rochester to visit Kev in Washington, "That Grit" was created with a spontaneous approach, reflecting both Mackey's freestyle background and Brown's proven "random joints" formula. Entirely produced by Kev Brown and featuring his signature bassline-driven and raw but soulful sound, "That Grit" consists of an intro, eight full-length tracks and six instrumentals. Hassaan and Kev share mic duties on most of the songs, inviting close friends/frequent collaborators Kaimbr, Toine, yU, Kenn Starr, Eye-Q, Asheru (of Unspoken Heard) as well as the Younger Soul Brother Grap Luva along as feature guests, turning the record into a true family affair.

When Diamond District dropped In the Ruff on Mello Music Group in 2009, the gritty drums and grimy raps combined as elementally as hydrogen and oxygen. The D.C. Voltron of Oddisee, yU, and X.O. dusted off and revitalized a sound once consigned to the catacombs.

Hailed as an instance classic, its impact reverberated throughout the underground and mainstream. The Washington D.C. City Paper called it the city’s best album in many years. During an era when lyricism was deemed too intellectual and samples too dated,Diamond District overturned conventional logic. They preserved the raw and made it righteous.

A half-decade later, the holy trinity has returned with March on Washington. The truths remain timeless. Wisdom over rhythm. Slang turned into testament.

L’Orange’s most revealing effort yet, 19 tracks feat. Homeboy Sandman, Blu, Jeremiah Jae, Billy Woods & others!

Includes download card with bonus content!

15 bangin' beats!

Originally scheduled for release way back in March 1996, “The Raw Factor” by North Carolina native Omniscence is one of the last of the unreleased mid-90’s albums to see the light of day. Despite being awarded The Source’s coveted “Hip Hop Quotable” and dropping two well-received singles (“Amazin” and “Touch Y’all”), record label politics meant the full-length “The Raw Factor” album was never released and fans were left wondering what might have been. 28 years later, “The Raw Factor” is finally being released on vinyl, CD and digital stores. Featuring punchline-driven lyrics from Omniscence delivered in his unmistakable cadence, and backed by head-nodding production from Fanatic, the album is a must-own for fans of 90’s Hip Hop. Omniscence haunted the same early 90's cyphers and stages that many lyrical greats from the era had to cross. With a gruff delivery and equal adeptness with punchlines and metaphors, his high finish at the 1994 edition Battle For World Supremacy at the New Music Seminar assured heads across the culture were watching. After this, Omniscence locked in with producer Fanatic (who also laced tracks for Notorious B.I.G., Ma$e and Michael Jackson). The result was “The Raw Factor” album, fifteen plus tracks of jazzed out boom-bap, replete with crackin' drums. Now Below System Records has not only given the album its first deluxe physical release (including 2xLP, CD and digital) as well as a slew of bonus/unreleased tracks.

Guest appearances from Talib Kweli, Krizz Kaliko, Masta Ace, Brother Ali, Tech N9ne, Hopsin, Vinnie Paz, Eamon, Sadat X and others … whoo!

The largely self-produced effort finds Havoc rhyming alongside Royce Da 5'9", Lloyd Banks, Raekwon, Styles P, Twista, and more. Yes!

Royce & Premier have created an incredible album strictly using Adrian Younge samples. Featuring Ab Soul, School Boy Q, Common, Killer Mike, Slaughter House, Dwele, Jay Electronica and Mac Miller.

Masta Ace, Nature, Malik B, Rah Digga, Lil Fame, Ill Bill, Big Noyd, Roc Marciano, AG, Torae & lots of others are featured, whoa!

These records come with an oversized poster — half of the records with Fyah Flames, half with I Jahbar.

Entire album produced By Scram Jones! Feat. Jadakiss, N.O.R.E., Raekwon & Sheek Louch!

Produced by Duppy Founders in Los Angeles and Jamaica, limited to 500 copies incl. Giant poster!

Comprised of two of the most verbose MC's in Hip-Hop today– Aesop Rock and Rob Sonic– Hail Mary Mallon prepares to unleash their second full-length release, Bestiary. Individually, these two lyricists are well known for wordy expressions eliciting oft-despondent themes. Together, however, they appear to push one another to the limits of humorously witty wordplay, while simultaneously crafting complex rhyme patterns. The very title of the album, Bestiary, was inspired by the fact that they both went into beast mode, here.

The group's hunger comes across in more than just the lyrics, though. With both Aesop & Rob sharing production duties, the album is laden with hypnotic beats ranging from dense & murky to melodic & twisting, all complemented by the cutting precision of turntablist DJ Big Wiz.

Another 15 track deep look at Slugs life & times.

... Greatest Rap Hits!Digitally re-recorded and remastered versions of the Def Jam classics.

Danny Brown, Mac Miller, Earl Sweatshirt, Raekwon, Scarface, Domo Genesis, Ab-Soul, Polyester the Saint, BJ The Chicago Kid, Big Time Watts, G-Wiz, Casey Veggies, Sulaiman, Meechy Darko & Freddie Kane are featured on this 17 track collaborative album ... this is collaborative for sure!

In music, timing is everything. When soon-to-be-renowned Boston hip-hop duo 7L & Esoteric collaborated with the Wu-Tang Clan's Inspectah Deck on the title track to 7L&E’s debut EP "Speaking Real Words" in 1999, the timing was perfect. The upstart duo was building a serious buzz on the East Coast and beyond, while Deck was still winning praise for his gold-selling solo disc "Uncontrolled Substance". As flashy pop-oriented rap was pumped on commercial radio stations, their natural chemistry and simpatico skills shone as a beacon to real hip-hop fans, a base of listeners who were soon asking about their next musical summit.
14 years later, the hunger for sharp lyrics and head-snapping beats hasn't dissipated. In the face of the ever-worsening status quo of watered-down and vapid radio rap songs, the call for something real has only gotten stronger, and once again the time is right for a call to action – for someone or something to come in and send wack rappers running for the hills in fear. Enter "Czarface", the upcoming, uncompromising full-length album from Inspectah Deck and 7L & Esoteric.
Not surprising, respect for real hip-hop runs deep, and "Czarface" brings an army with it — consider the star-studded guest list which includes Roc Marciano, Action Bronson, Vinnie Paz (Jedi Mind Tricks,) Oh No (Gangrene,) Mr. MFN eXquire and Deck's fellow Wu-Tang Clansmen Ghostface Killah and Cappadonna.
Aside from one track blessed by the almighty DJ Premier, production on "Czarface" belongs exclusively to DJ 7L, who provides the musical backbone which holds the album together. His ability to craft a hip-hop sound that's current and exciting with a classic feel left Deck impressed: “This is one of the first albums I've heard in a while that gives you so many different feels. You hear the ‘80s hip-hop style, ‘80s R&B and rock combined with what's going on now. That’s creating something new, in my opinion.”

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

Odd Future affiliate Pyramid Vritra now with his Stones Throw debut "Indra"!

Following the release of Cook Classics Vs. Now-Again, Now-Again presents its second Oh No library offering.

Ill Bill, Slaine, Vinnie Paz, Esoteric, Celph Titled, Apathy and Snak the Ripper on the guest list this time!

HHE is back with some legendary old school Houston, TX hip-hop! Rap-A-Lot headz better take notice right now!! For those unfamiliar, NoDōz were an old school rap duo out of Houston, TX created by the legendary Def Jam Blaster and rapper D. Latroi.



Def Jam Blaster... aaah where to begin? Maybe back in 1987 when he worked on a 7" which started the career of a local rapper named DJ Akshen? Or 1988 when he worked on one of the most iconic 12" records Ever in hip-hop? A 12" from that same rapper Akshen that would have the world forever know him as Scarface from that day on. Or when Def Jam Blaster started the duo Private Identity in 1989 with another legendary Houston rapper 3-2? Or how in 90's Def Jam Blaster worked on albums for Raheem, Royal Flush, Willie D, Big Mello, Madd Hatta and Mobb Deep.



I think you get my point by now, this is a man that paid his dues with the best of them... Now back to our story... After Private Identity died down after doing some recordings Def Jam Blaster hooked back up with D. Latroi, a rapper he met a year before, and started making some demos, material that has remained shelved up until now as we have had the pleasure to include them as bonus tracks for the CD release.



In 1992 NoDōz were signed to Revolution Records, an imprint that was focused primarily on R&B. Right before they could finish the album D. Latroi started having some serious health issues and Revolution Records started second guessing their decision to drop a hip-hop record so the album was shelved.



Now 30 years later we are excited to present you all the tracks from those 1992 sessions, the demos and remixes all from the DAT tapes. The 8 page booklet will include an interview done by Werner Von Wallenrod with Def Jam Blaster which was done specifically for this release. All tracks remastered by Justin Perkins and DJ Pyra-C and the entire CD layout was handled by man Laurence Di Lullo.



Limited to only 300 copies!

Classic golden age hip hop featuring Tash, Sadat X, KRS-One, Percee P, MC Eiht, Myka Nyne, and Max Julien, and more!

The PUTS' 9th studio album is another selfmade stunner via Piecelock 70!

LA based People Under The Stairs, Double K (Michael Turner) and Thes One (Christopher Portugal) are the most successful fully independent hip-hop
duo in the history of Hip-Hop. Since their initial release in 1998, People Under The Stairs, or “The P” as they are referred to by their fans, have performed over a thousand sold out shows, festivals and world tours spanning 6 continents and 40 countries. With a pioneering DIY ethic, they have self produced 8 full-length LPs in addition to countless singles and side projects. The musical sensibility punctuating their unique brand of hip-hop has earned them the title “The Steely Dan of Rap Music” as well as consistent critical acclaim and numerous appearances on the Billboard Charts. Their unique career includes an appearance on The Simpson’s 20th Anniversary Special, a John Peele Session at Abbey Road, and groundbreaking performances at festivals such as Glastonbury, Coachella and Bonaroo, the last of which was noted by SPIN magazine as “Simply the best performance of Friday... Period”. After finishing their ambitious 8th Studio album Highlighter, The P completed sold out tours with Mac Miller and Girl Talk before returning to the studio to work on their 9th album, 12 Step Program!

L.A. rapper Blu burst onto the scene with the widely acclaimed Exile collaboration Below The Heavens, igniting a West Coast hip hop renaissance in the process. In the years since, Blu has released a steady stream of critically-acclaimed projects, from the love-themed concept album Her Favorite Colo(u)r to the eclectic masterpiece York. In the process, he's worked with a host of hip-hop's top talents, including The Roots, Alchemist, Lupe Fiasco, B.o.B., Madlib, Aloe Blacc, Asher Roth, 9th Wonder, Evidence, Nottz, and many more. Now, Blu is back with Good To Be Home, his first ever double album. Featuring a host of West Coast hip-hop luminaries, Good To Be Home is an unapologetic celebration of Los Angeles music and culture. "This is my most defining record ever," says Blu. A cohesive collection with two discs and no filler, Good To Be Home is an important addition to Blu's already impressive catalog.

Anniversary Edition with bonus tracks!

Releasing 14 albums over the past 3 years, there is no slowing down for prolific emcee LMNO of the Visionaries. Reconnecting with Evidence of Dilated Peoples, LMNO's latest masterpiece "After the Fact" brings together his signature original delivery and masterful
wordplay, over the classic Evidence beats that has had heads nodding worldwide since the late '90s. The entire album was produced by Evidence, with guest lyrical features by Oh No, MED, and Rakaa (Dilated Peoples), along with scratches by J Rocc (Beat Junkies), DJ Babu (Beat Junkies Dilated Peoples), LD, and DJ Romes (Lootpack).

Some records are steeped in mythology. Frank N Dank’s 48 Hours is just such a recording. Why so few samples from Dilla? Was that MCA’s decision as they didn’t believe they could get clearances? Why did MCA shelve the recording for so long? Where’s the “original version”? There are nearly more questions about this album than cuts on the album. But according to Frank, “contrary to popular belief there was never an 'original version’ of 48 Hours. We started recording songs to sample driven beats of Dilla‘s and we got 80% of the album done and Dilla decided to change the beats to all the songs.”
That’s right, it wasn’t MCA’s legal department, it was Dilla’s creative vision that stripped out the samples. But what about the sample laden “Take Your Clothes Off” and “Off Your Chest” you may ask? Frank interjects, “those were done after the fact.” And why did MCA shelve the project, was this a label afraid to release what the Detroit trio had concocted? Well that doesn’t appear to be the case. According to Nitt turnover in the A&R department at the time was rapid to the point that no one seemed to know who at MCA was responsible for the project. This led to a call to then MCA president Jay Boberg who agreed to release Frank N Dank from their deal. So there you have it. As Freud once said, “sometimes a cigar is just a cigar”. In the case of 48 Hours, it’s one hell of a tasty cigar. 48 Hours is now at last ready for the respect and proper release it has deserved all along, with the complete album as well as a second vinyl of Dilla’s instrumentals. As Frank reminds us, “This is the exact version of 48 Hours that we (Frank N Dank & Dilla) turned in to MCA and the way Dilla intended it to be!”