sidekicks.

no... not the flip up email/im/phone/camera things that all the kids are using (full disclaimer: i had one 2 years ago).

wex wednesday's is talkin' about the robin's to the batman... the vanna white's to the pat sajak... the barney fife to the andy taylor, etc.

and i'm not at all looking to demean their contribution with the use of the term sidekick... at all. these guys were/are irreplaceable.

rap's greatest 2nd in charge:

1. Flavor Flav - Public Enemy (what, who'd YOU think would be first?!)
2. Vinnie - Naughty By Nature
3. Sen Dog - Cypress Hill
4. Spliff Star - Busta Rhymes
5. Lil' Cease - Biggie
6. Freaky Tah - Lost Boyz
7. Danny Boy - House of Pain
8. Money B - Digital Underground
9. E Love - LL Cool J
10. Willie D - KRS-One

-wex

jumpoff.tv

jumpoff.tv came thru to the last HHK... check out their news piece:

Weekend At Diggedy's - Volume 3

Back with another one....

Raekwon feat Ghostface - "Rainy Dayz" (remix)
http://www.sendspace.com/file/fqgl6n

For all the Wu-fanatics out there (this means you Charlie and RDJ), this is a tremendously smoothed out remix (different beat and lyrics) to the original off the OB4CL classic. Does much more need to be said? It's mid 90's Rae & Ghost.

Poor Righteous Teachers feat Nine - "Gods, Earths, and 85ers"
http://www.sendspace.com/file/zfw7qw

One of the beauties of music are the memories they create. I'll never forget the first time I saw the video for PRT's "Rock Dis Funky Joint". Plain and simple, that song was my shit back when I was a wee 12 year old. That summer, I went off to sleepaway camp, and you know how your folks get. They miss you so much that they become like genie's granting every wish. So, that summer, I got a package in the mail with homemade chocolate chip cookies, and a copy of Holy Intellect (I'm pretty sure no one has ever gotten a package like that again at sleepaway camp).
From that point on, I became a PRT loving fool. Later on in the mid 90's, I got hooked on Nine. Most people know him from "Wutchua Want" (by the way, if someone will perform this, I'll add it), but his albums are like vintage Charles Oakley : solid. "Lyin' King" (off of Cloud 9) makes you want to physically assault wack emcees. Anyway, this track is off of PRT's 4th album New World Order. Classic Wise Intelligent.

Souls Of Mischief - "Cabfare"
http://www.sendspace.com/file/utontd

This track has made the rounds over the years, but if you don't have it or haven't heard it, definitely give it a listen. Clever track sampling the "Taxi" theme (the Bob James sample was never cleared, and the song never came out). This was made circa the 93 Til Infinity era. That album is still one of my favorites to this day.

Have a good weekend people.

lots of people talkin...

...about the current state of hip hop.

and honestly, most of 'em are full of shit one way or another.

but regardless... i managed to read two interesting things today that address the issue.

first, check out what J-Zone says about the "5 things that killed hip hop"

and also, check out the Redman interview on allhiphop.com.

as an aside, you gotta love Red's quote about being a young father and attending his kids boyscout meeting:

"Some of them parents be grown as hell driving busses and shit, mustaches be everywhere. I be young as hell in there."

HA!

whatupwhatup,

wex.

acronyms.

wex weds presents...

the acronyms.

some of these were SO obviously thought of AFTER the name was in effect...

and some of these have more than one meaning... but here are some of rap's great acronyms:

1. Big Daddy Kane- King Asiatic Nobody's Equal
2. D.M.C. - Devastating Mic Controller
3. DMX - Dark Man X or Dark Man of the Unknown
4. Guru - Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal (ha!)
5. KRS-One - Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone (HA!)
6. LL Cool J - Ladies Love Cool James
7. Kool G Rap - Kool Genius of Rap
8. MC Eiht - Experienced In Hardcore Thumpin'
9. K-Solo - Kevin Self Organized Left Others (???)
10. Tash - Tough Ass Son of Harold

and ps-- thanks for coming out in full force on SUNDAY... was a good show, good times, and we appreciate the support, as always.

- If I gotta bring my Wheels, it costs EXtra. (take that Kris)

Weekend At Diggedy's - Volume 2

Hope to see everyone out on Sunday for HHK.

Here are the choice cuts for this cold February 16th.

Shyheim featuring Big L - "Furious Anger"

Being the anniversary of Big L's untimely passing, I wanted to make sure he was included in this edition. Most people remember Shyheim as "the kid down with the Wu Tang". He released "On and On", and unless you were a hardcore fan, he basically fell off your radar. He put out 3 additional albums after the debut (I never heard the recent The Greatest Story Never Told). The other two were somewhat respectable efforts. This track featuring Big L is off of 1999's Manchild.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/nkv1hj

Lootpack featuring Rasco - "Weededed (remix)"

1999's Soundpieces : Da Antidote! always gets play in my CD player. This track is actually a remix that's not on the album. I always remember how pissed I was when I saw that The Source gave it 2 1/2 mics (might have even been 2). Ironically, I might not have necessarily disagreed with them if all albums were rated on the same scale. The Madlib beats on this LP were fresh, but every song was essentially about wack emcees and weed. If every review held records up to the highest standards, it would have been acceptable. But there was absolute shit getting 3's and 4's. I felt like Lootpack were unnecessarily used as a guinea pigs for a truly critical review, and based on how they were reviewing albums at that time, if something got a 2 1/2 you were flat out not checking for it. Anyway, I recommend the album, and highly recommend downloading this breezy west coast track.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/5m2f7i

Redman - "I See Dead People"

I think this was on a soundtrack, but I'm not positive. It's clever as fuck, and a shame that not more people have heard it. It's produced by Eminem (exactly what you'd expect, except it works here), and sprinkles in deceased rappers with Redman's lyrics. I'll take this over an M. Knight Bruce Willis collabo any day of the week.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/ent6tl

sunday night, ya'll.

hhk on a sunday night. who woulda thought? thank you prezidants.

diggedy is opening up the show with fun jam that he uncovered recently....

so yea yea, hope to see you all there... i have a feeling it's going to be a good one.

oh, and here's a vid of nas performing his new single on dave letterman's late night jump-off.

-wex.

we did NOT invent the remix.

wex wednesday's presents...

the remix.

now, this one could get heated... because this subject seems to be a very passionate one for a lot of hardcore hip hop heads. so feel free to contribute the one's that i may have overlooked, didn't like, or whateva whateva.

the best remixes...

1. The Choice is Yours (Revisted) - Black Sheep (many people don't realize that the version of this song that we all know and love, was actually a remix)
2. Scenario (Remix) - ATCQ, Kid Hood, LONS
3. Buddy (Native Tongue Decision) - De La Soul, Jungle Bros, ATCQ, Monie Love
4. One More Chance (Stay With Me Remix) - Biggie
5. Flava In Ya Ear (Bad Boy Remix) - Craig Mack, Biggie, LL, Rampage, Busta
6. Shut 'Em Down (Pete Rock Remix) - Public Enemy
7. Made You Look (Remix) - Nas, Luda, Jada
8. Resurrection (Large Pro Remix) - Common Sense
9. Check Yo'Self (Old School Remix) - Ice Cube, Das EFX
10. Real Hip Hop (Pete Rock Remix) - Das EFX (included for Diggedy's sanity)

-- wah wah wah wex.

case of the mundaze.

even though they should have won record & album of the year... congrats to Gnarls Barkley, who still picked up two grammy awards last night.

what if Kanye West, Nas, KRS One and Rakim were all on the same track... and dj premier produced it?! well, it's here (mp3). it only took Nike's $$ to make it happen.

jay-z gets political (quicktime mov).

morning,

wex.

Weekend at Diggedy's

Jealous of Wex Wednesday's, I have decided to throw my hat into the ring.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to "Weekend at Diggedy's".

Every Friday, I shall post 3 choice cuts that you may not have heard of*.

(* = unless you're a rap junky turned message board nerd like myself and this stuff is very, very old news to you)

I don't profess to be the end all be all source of info on these artists. I am far from a hip hop historian. I'm just a fan who enjoys good music. Without further adieu, the choice cuts for 2/9 :

The Nonce - "Who Falls Apart" - http://www.sendspace.com/file/b4gz3c
The Nonce - Nouka Base and Yusef Afloat - hail from Cali. I was first made aware of them when their video "Mix Tapes" was getting play on Rap City. They dropped World Ultimate, I copped it, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Think laid back Freestyle Fellowship. "Who Falls Apart", my favorite song of theirs, is actually not on the album. It's a b-side to the single "Bus Stops". Sadly, Yusef Afloat (the second verse on the song) passed away several years ago.

Ed OG & Masta Ace - "Make Some Noise" - http://www.sendspace.com/file/a0oga8
Nothing crazy to say about this one. I've always been a fan of Ed and Ace. The track splices in Freddie Foxxx introducing both artists at a live show, and then goes back to the studio for the verses. Just some standard, dope, hip-hop fare.

A Tribe Called Quest - "Mr. Incognito" - http://www.sendspace.com/file/kdskz0
Like most people, I've always been a big Tribe fan. For years, the only thing I had this song on was a ratty cassette tape from the Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito show (circa mid 90's). I seem to recall it being re-released years later along with the Love Movement on a bonus disk, but I am not positive if this was on it. Regardless, here it is in mp3 form. Classic pre - Beats, Rhymes Quest.

Hope you enjoy.

Until next time...

On the A train with Dana Dane.

interesting read:

One late night at the Jay St./Borough Hall train station in Downtown Brooklyn, one of Hip Hop's living legends was spotted getting off the train and HHNLive.com was on the platform to greet him. 80's Hip Hop icon of music and fashion, Brooklyn native Dana Dane is definitely one of the most underrated MC's of the Golden Era with considerable influences in the gear we choose and the storytelling format of today's MC. Just to still be noticed in this metropolis of 8 million people shows and proves that Dana Dane still has fame, even on the A train. HHNLive.com writer ShaBe chills on the iron horse for a few stops with the living legend who looks just like he did in 1987, signature gold tooth and all, except his Ballys turned to Timbs and his Kangol has become a skully. Check it out as this real life Cindafella kicks it about the 5th element of Hip Hop, how he hooked up with Slick Rick, and how his classic raps have turned to snaps in the form of children's books.

full article & interview here

--wex.

you decide.

wex wednesday's presents...

you decide.

anybody who knows anything about hip hop knows that 1993 and 1994 were great years. many amazing songs dropped in that short span...

but the question is... which year was the best for hip hop SINGLES?

1993 brought you:

1. Nuthin But A G Thang - Dre feat. Snoop
2. Protect Ya Neck - Wu-Tang Clan
3. Come Clean - Jeru The Damaja
4. Passin' Me By - the Pharcyde
5. Tonight's Da Night - Redman
6. I Get Around - 2Pac
7. Award Tour - ATCQ
8. Method Man - Wu-Tang Clan
9. 93' Till Infinity - Souls of Mischief
10. Slam - Onyx
11. Party & Bullshit - Biggie
12. Sound of the Police - KRS-One
13. Keep Ya Head Up - 2Pac
14. Insane in the Brain - Cypress Hill
15. Electric Relaxation - ATCQ
and many more...

1994 brought you:

1. Flava In Ya Ear (& Remix) - Craig Mack
2. Gin & Juice - Snoop
3. CREAM - Wu-Tang Clan
4. Juicy - Biggie
5. Bring the Pain - Method Man
6. Time's Up - OC
7. I Used to Love H.E.R. - Common Sense
8. I Got Cha Opin - Black Moon
9. It Ain't Hard to Tell - Nas
10. Bucktown - Smif-N-Wessun
11. Player's Ball - Outkast
12. Mass Appeal - Gang Starr
13. Seen A Man Die - Scarface
14. The Most Beautifullest Thing In This World - Keith Murray
15. Thuggish Ruggish Bone - Bone Thugs
and many more...

you decide.

-djwex.

Where Are They Now?

as many of you might know... Nas has a song on his new album called "Where Are They Now?" - which is about many of our (and his) 80's/90's rap heroes.

we thought that was cool.

but what good ol' Nasir had up his sleeve was much better than that...

the remixes.

the 80's remix (mp3) (featuring: MC Shan, Raheem (Furious Five), Doctor Ice (UTFO), Kangol (UTFO), Kool Moe Dee, Sha Rock, Tito (Fearless Four), Grandmaster Caz, Linque (Isis of X Clan), Dana Dane, Pebblee Poo and Just Ice)

the 90's remix (mp3) (featuring: featuring Positive K, Rob Base, Das EFX, Lords Of The Underground, Chip Fu, Father MC, Monie Love, Redhead Kingpin, Dres, The Original Spinderella, EST and Mike G)

the West Coast remix (mp3) (featuring: Breeze, Kam, King Tee, Candyman, Threat, Ice-T, Sir Mix-A-Lot and the Conscious Daughters and DJ Bobcat on the cut)

we've been loving these over the last week or so... and thought our HHK peeps might enjoy too.

djwex.