Vinyl-Jahresrückblick 2021 – Topseller Hip-Hop 31 Items

Originally released in 1999, Appleseed cemented Aesop Rock as a new face whose talent could not be denied. The album explores creative concepts with inventive writing and stripped-down yet melodic and melancholic production. Recalling his DIY approach, Aesop says, "I did the Appleseed hand style while working at Tepper Galleries in NYC. The cover was made at Kinko's. The first copies were CD-R's I duped at home and sold from my backpack at an MF Doom show at Brownies, which was right below my apartment at the time. I continued to sell hand to hand in NY, while Blockhead started fielding some mail orders from a young internet. People would send us cash or a check, and he'd cut the covers out and mail them off." The two of them were able to move a couple thousand CDs that way before turning their attention to newer projects, particularly “Float” in Aesop's case. As a result, in all that time it was only ever available on CD, directly from Aesop. Finally, 21 years after its debut, Appleseed officially returns, now available on vinyl for the first time!

2nd full album by Anderson .Paak with features by Schoolboy Q, Talib Kweli, The Game, BJ The Chicago Kid and more.

Ill Adrenaline Records co-founder and Brick City native Beneficence drops his seventh album entitled "Stellar Mind", entirely produced by longtime collaborator and Boston producer Confidence (of Rashad & Confidence). "Stellar Mind" is the follow up to Benef's underground smash hit album "Basement Chemistry" (2016) that included an array of bangers with high caliber guest appearances by Inspectah Deck (of Wu-Tang Clan), Masta Ace, MC Eiht, and many more. More than four years in the making, "Stellar Mind" takes a deep journey and boom bap ride with flawless production courtesy of Confidence, the man with the golden sound. Benef’s & Conf’s latest installment is a mastery of beats, rhymes, jazz loops, and soul at its apex. With slick vocals and blue-collar aesthetics, it gives the listener head-nodding street anthems and stays true to its roots. 16 tracks strong, the album takes a more personal approach and drops around the same time as Benef's book "Concrete Soul: Memoir & Making of Ill Adrenaline Records". In the intro (Hypnosis) the close Artifacts affiliate rhymes with conviction, "many failed to see the vision, homey who are we kidding, breads with Goldman Sachs, forget the hands of a vixen". Another banger is the infectious horn laced "Travelling Man" where Benef runs down a list of moments in time. "DB Coppers hi jack, John Coltrane's tenor sax, the lost notebook that Eminem hoping to get back, the final destination that we all will end up at". The album's first single "My Way" features Masta Ace and Phantasm (of Cella Dwellas), revealing their perspectives of choice options in life and music. Beneficence & Confidence is a dream team that boom-bap connoisseurs have been patiently eager to hear. Along with slick intelligent rhymes, thought-provoking concepts, and sharp & precise cuts handled by 12 Finger Dan, DJ Grazzhoppa, and DJ Kaos (rip), the LP comes equipped with an impressive guest list of rhyme slingers to deliver a long-awaited gem for underground hip-hop fans around the globe. Features include Masta Ace, Keith Murray, Ras Kass, AG (of D.I.T.C.), Chubb Rock, Lord Tariq, Craig G, El Da Sensei (of The Artifacts), Phantasm (of Cella Dwellas), Ali Vegas, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Wordsworth, Queen Herawin (of Jugganots), Truth Enola, and soul singer Melinda Camille. The thoroughbred soul survivors are back for the people.

Strictly limited edition of 500 copies on clear vinyl in gatefold outfit.

"God Sound" was the sophomore album of the Boogiemonsters from 1997, being a duo then consisting of Vex Da Vortex and Mondo McCann after their debut "Riders Of The Storm: The Underwater Album" from 1994 as a four-men crew. The album production was mostly handled by themselves, additional beats were provided by Domingo, John Doe and Caspa. Features included Philly poetress Bahamadia as well as Tysha.

"God Sound" is not the cliched distillation of sophomore album angst that has become the norm in modern day artistry. Unlike many musicians who feel pressed to release a second album, Mondo & Vex took their time, honed their production skills and solidified their personal situations. Like God's true sound - that tree growing in the midst of urban decay; the sunflower making its way through a crack in concrete, a sunshower dissipating the dirt, grime and heat of a hot summer day - "God Sound" flourished around advents of human civilization.

Strictly limited edition of 300 copies of the next release in our »HHV Boombap 45's« series.

Heavy double-sider with two fan favs from the Boogiemonster's sophomore album "God Sound". "Say Word" features Bahamadia and is available on 45 for the very first time.

Limited edition of 1000 copies in gatefold sleeve with bonus 7" ("We Run Things" b/w "Remember We Salaam Remi Remix") plus sticker and inlay card.

The Bush Babees debut album finally gets a reissue treatment on limited 2LP+7", cassette, CD and digitally. "Ambushed" contains instant classics like "We Run Things" or "Remember We" and features productions by the likes of Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest, Salaam Remi, Jermaine Dupri and others.

The trio consisting of Kaos, Y-Tee and Mr. Man grew up in the West Indies, so reggae had a strong influence on their music. Formed in 1992, the Brooklyn representatives dropped their debut in 1994 followed by the sophomore album "Gravity" in 1996 with the help from a number of Native Tongue members including Q-Tip and The Ummah, Pos of De La Soul, Rahzel of The Roots as well as a young Mos Def.

R.I.P. MF DOOM

Superhero? Supervillain? Super WHAT? CZARFACE & MF DOOM's newest team-up record Super What? is, much like the Avengers' arch-enemy Thanos...inevitable (and all-powerful!). The icon MF DOOM unleashes his wizardry and wordplay throughout the record, while CZARFACE (bolstered by the legendary Wu-Tang Clan's Inspectah Deck and Esoteric) slash through each of the Czar-Keys' produced tracks as the team raises the bar on their previous LP, Czarface meets Metalface (2018). Featuring golden-age superhero DMC (of RUN-DMC) and Hieroglyphics' leader Del The Funky Homosapien,
With art by longtime CZARFACE co-creator Lamour Supreme, this album will bring all the thrills of a cosmic summer blockbuster. Recorded and slated for an early 2020 release, and paused while COVID raged, this collaboration of masked men is finally finding its way to you on all formats.

Edo. G & Insight Innovates deliver that raw, jazzy, and true-to-life hip-hop on their self-titled debut album. It’s the culmination of decades of friendship and collaboration, birthed from childhood memories and the early days of the Boston rap scene. And with this 10-track project, both artists sound as hungry and passionate as ever while they deliver one of the year’s best releases to date. For Edo and Insight, that meant more than just “boom-bap” sounds or tight lyricism—it meant bringing everything to the table, including next-level lyricism. As Insight explains, “This project is focused on punchy drums, bass, attractive melodies, and a realistic life message and story from black men in a slowly changing world.” You can hear that mission statement on instant highlights “Choose Your Path” and “It Takes Progress,” with the latter serving as the album’s first leak. With good reason, of course, because Insight and Edo admit that it’s one of their favorites from the record. In addition to featuring some of their best rhymes, it provided a way for them to not just sound off on societal issues but also offer some solutions. But Edo G. & Insight Innovates also succeeds because of the way that simultaneously pays homage to and modernizes hip-hop’s past. There are cultural Easter eggs and outright tributes all over the album, like the absolutely banging “Set It Off (Long Live Kane),” which rightly gives flowers to hip-hop legend Big Daddy Kane. The two also show love to Edo’s own history by reimagining his classic Da Bulldogs joint, “I Got To Have It,” on the standout track “Unite & Let’s All Get Down.” As Insight says, it was part of their shared goal to “make a dope hip-hop album that reflects who we are and what we’re about.” He and Edo met that goal and then some with this release.

Strictly limited edition of 300 copies of evän's lo-fi take on classic Biggie parts incl. all instrumentals. Tip!

In March 2020, right as the whole world was entering into a transitional phase, Evidence released a single titled "Unlearning". Now, a year later, Evidence launches the campaign for his upcoming album, Unlearning Vol. 1, picking up where the single of the same name left off, and going beyond. Throughout his career, Evidence has always been adept at both staying true to his roots and evolving as he grows and learns from life experiences, including recognizing when the time comes to unlearn. During the campaign for his last album, Weather or Not (2018), he expressed a desire to close the chapter on the weather-related theme that had been a staple of his solo career to that point. Unlearning Vol. 1 not only sees that vision come to life, but shines brilliantly in the process. Unlearning Vol. 1 pairs Evidence's own production with works from The Alchemist, Nottz, Sebb Bash, Animoss, Mr. Green, V Don, Daringer and Eardrum (QThree). This highlights perhaps an undervalued skill of Ev's - his ability to collaborate with a multitude of producers on a project, while still creating an album with a cohesion and consistency rarely found in such extensive collaboration. While the album's musical soundscape sets the scene, it's Ev's gift for relatable yet inventively clever writing that really paints the picture, continually pulling the listener in. That said, a small but powerful cast of guest appearances also decorate the landscape, courtesy of stellar performances from Boldy James, Conway The Machine, Fly Anakin, Navy Blue, and Murkage Dave. Unlearning Vol. 1 embodies the sound and feeling of pure artistic expression, capturing a moment in time where marketability, album sales & streaming potential, and the desire to please anyone other than the artist themselves, are all just an afterthought. As one could expect, such freedoms allowed Evidence to tap into something special that sounds engaging and unique, and also remains true to his foundation. In essence, Unlearning Vol. 1 finds Evidence at yet another creative peak, creating a listening experience poised to catch the attention of new listeners while strengthening his core fanbase.

Strictly limited edition of 500 copies on black colored 2LP.

"Exotic Essentials" is a handpicked demo compilation by Godfather Don himself including some lost gems of mid-90's works. The album includes 8 vocal tracks as well as 9 instrumentals shorties from the vaults. Available in a limited run on black as well as grey colored 2LP, on limited CD and cassette plus digitally on all major platforms.

Limited edition of 500 copies on black vinyl incl. all instrumentals.

Heads be ready: Godfather Don is back with a new album, fully produced by Paris-based Parental (of Kalhex fame). 16 tracks in total incl. all instrumentals plus a bonus beat by Godfather Don make this one another sureshot for your record collection of Hip Hop must-have's!

In their 6 years on air, Flip The Script Radio has become the industry standard, the go-to radio show where fans and industry heads alike flock to hear the next hip hop superstars before they blow up. Steeped in the rich history of the scene, FTSR's focus on real MCs, genuine turntablism and their 'do it for the culture' approach has garnished them praise from every corner of the hip hop universe. To celebrate their 6 Year Anniversary, Flip The Script Radio has joined forces with Good For You Records and one of the greatest MCs of all time for a very special, limited edition 7" release. We are beyond excited to present this work of art by a cultural icon, one of the best lyricists of all time, Grand Puba. This special edition vinyl release revisits one of Puba's most beloved classics "I Like It", reinvented with an 8 piece band, an acoustic version, featuring freshly re-spit verses by the rap legend himself, breathing new life into this crowd favourite.

Strictly limited edition of 500 copies of "From The Levels Below", the 1995 self-distributed debut release of the Harleckinz (Big Sal, Doubleface and Boogieman) from Berlin, Germany.

The press profile that was originally accompanying the vinyl release stated the following:

"Harleckinz was founded in 1989 in Berlin, Germany. The group consists of three rappers, as well as a D.J., aged 19-23. The Harleckinz are multicultural and multilingual with ethinical backgrounds: American (New York), German, Jamaican, Spanish, and Turkish. The music has potential to embrace an underground, as well as mainstram audience due to it's strong beats on one hand, and soulfoul, melodious accompaniment on the other hand. Lyrics and music are solely written / produced by the Harleckinz.

As far as it is known, Harleckinz is the first German HipHop act seriously attempting to internationalize the rap music scene by intentionally seeking a record contract / career in the U.S. and simultaneously or subsequently promoting their anyhow made name throughout Europe's, precisely Germany's, flourishing HipHop community. The Harleckinz have performed in the U.S. and Germany with celebrities such as Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, K7, D.J. Kool Herc and Zhane (see performances)."

In the years after the Harleckinz hit the charts with 2 singles and released their one and only album "Now We Are Talkin'" in 2000, followed by a KMC crew album in 2002 via Universal.

To us, "From The Levels Below" is still one of the best Hip Hop records ever been produced in Germany. Next to the vinyl reissue the release is also made available digitally for the very first time.

Strictly limited 2LP black vinyl edition of 300 copies.

"Together, California-based poets Damani Nkosi and ill Camille are HARRIETT. ill Camille's visceral and animated lyricism coupled with Damani Nkosi’s honest poetry and intricate wordplay makes for a dense, introspective and beautifully spiritual album". - Martin Boev

Strictly limited edition of 300 copies on black vinyl of the new collaborative approach "Opening Theory" by Ill Treats & Charade. Sit back, relax and take a deep breath of a new jazz-flavored classic. All production handled by Treats, all vocals by Charade plus features by A.F.R.O., One Be Lo and Wordsworth. Tip!

Record Store Day 2021 Release.

Limited to 1000 copies for the European market.

Music by Madlib, arranged by Kieran Hebden, better known as Four Tet. Gil Evans to Miles Davis…. Holger Czukay to the ensemble known as Can….Jean Claude Vannier to Serge Gainsbourg on Histoire de Melody Nelson. That’s the only way to explain the specificity of Four Tet and Madlib’s collaboration, in this special album that showcases a two-decade long friendship that has resulted in an album that follows Madlib’s classics like Quasimoto’s The Unseen, Madvillainy and his Pinata and Bandana albums with Freddie Gibbs. “A few months ago I completed work on an album with my friend Madlib that we’d been making for the last few years. He is always making loads of music in all sorts of styles and I was listening to some of his new beats and studio sessions when I had the idea that it would be great to hear some of these ideas made into a Madlib solo album. Not made into beats for vocalists to use but instead arranged into tracks that could all flow together in an album designed to be listened to start to finish. I put this concept to him when we were hanging out eating some nice food one day and we decided to work on this together with him sending me tracks, loops, ideas and experiments that I would arrange, edit, manipulate and combine. I was sent hundreds of pieces of music over a couple of years stretch and during that time I put together this album with all the parts that fitted with my vision.” - Kieren Hebden AKA Four Tet

Limited edition of 500 copies on black vinyl in a gatefold sleeve of Mannish's debut album "Audio Sedative" from 1995.

Next up on "90's Tapes" is the mid-90's underground charmer "Audio Sedative" by Los Angeles-based duo Mannish, consisting of Rappers Jekill and Jive. The dope production was mostly handled by B-Zar (better known as American actor Balthazar Getty) and the cuts were provided by a young DJ Nu-Mark who later on became known as a member of Jurassic 5. Available in a limited run on 2LP, CD and cassette plus digitally on all major platforms.

Strictly limited edition gatefold set of 1000 copies on black vinyl.

Another dream comes true and we are humbly thankful to finally share Mathematik's full-length debut "Ecology" on 2LP, cassette and CD as well as digitally. Originally released in 1999, "Ecology" became an instant classic inside and outside the Canadian Hip Hop scene and is one of these magical albums that still don't loose their charisma after 20+ years!

R.I.P. MF DOOM

Please note, now without 7inch.

MF Doom is the man in the iron mask. The most mysterious figure in hip-hop has also become one of the most popular, supplying beats and rhymes for Gorillaz, De La Soul, Madlib, Danger Mouse, and WuTang Clan, and drawing praise from heavyweights like Just Blaze, Nas, and Mos Def.Since 2002, Doom has released numerous volumes of Special Herbs, one of the longest-running instrumental series in hiphop history. Now, the fifth and sixth volumes in the acclaimed series are available on vinyl for the first time in years. With obscure loops and dusty samples galore, Special Herbs Vol. 9 & 0 is a must-have for any Doom fan or hip-hop head.

'Illmatic' is the debut studio album by American rapper Nas, released in April 1994. Often cited as one of the best hip-hop albums of the '90s, 'Illmatic' is the undisputed classic upon which Nas' reputation rests. It helped spearhead the artistic renaissance of New York hip-hop in the post-Chronic era, leading a return to street aesthetics. Hip-hop fans accustomed to 73-minute opuses sometimes complain about 'Illmatic''s brevity, but even if it leaves you wanting more, it's also one of the few '90s rap albums with absolutely no wasted space. 'Illmatic' reveals a great lyricist in top form meeting great production, and it remains a perennial favorite among serious hip-hop fans.

Includes the original album plus the instrumental version!

Strictly limited edition of 300 copies on colored vinyl.

NYC's PENPALS are back on the block with a heavy line-up of guests on "II: The True Sequel". Some of Hip Hop underground's finest MC's like Quelle Chris, billy woods, ANKHLEJOHN or Thonio join the pals on their new album. Enjoy!

Mt. Marci is the 8th studio album from legendary emcee / producer Roc Marciano. This new album is in conjunction with Josue Thomas of The Gallery Dept, and without question is a must have for the true music / Roc Marciano fan.

This is Art That Kills.

Ghost Dog - Original Motion Picture Score, produced by The RZA, is now available on official Vinyl and CD editions! This masterpiece was previously only given a limited Japanese release, and is the first film score produced by The RZA and features appearances by Wu Tang Clan.

Regular black vinyl edition in a gatefold set.

Here it is, one of THE lost albums from the golden era of Hip Hop: Science Of Sound's "Kaleidoscope Phonetics" from the Tribe Called Quest-sphere. With productions and cameos by A Tribe Called Quest and Phife Dawg, Godfather Don, Grandmaster Melle Mel and more. This is true-school rap at its finest and should not be missed by any fan of the classic 90's vibe.

Here's what Ali Shaheed Muhammad is saying about it:

"Science Of Sound, a group established during the 90's "golden era" of Hip Hop. These guys are my family. We were very excited when they signed their record deal and greatly disappointed their label mishandled them. This is the lost album that was recorded in the time I was working on "Beats, Rhymes & Life". There was a lot of back in forth between Tribe's sessions and S.O.S.'s sessions. You can hear the levels they were on and it's as fresh as 20+ years later as it was when it was recorded. Any proponent of golden era Hip Hop will appreciate this find of a lost album." - Ali Shaheed Muhammad, September 3rd, 2020

Available on limited 2LP vinyl, CD and cassette as well as digitally!

Strictly limited edition of 300 copies on black vinyl of next Beats For Brothels instalment. The Groggy Pack is back on the boards and presents the 5th episode of their beat tapes with yet another instrumental headnodder selection!