Stamp of Approval #01: Big Krizzy

So, I've been meaning to get around to this for a real long time...but better late than never I guess.  Our first official Stamp of Dopeness goes to Mississippi's Big K.R.I.T.  He's been grinding hard for the past couple years and I've become a fan...fully.  He's a well balanced MC...spitting introspective soul rap tempered with a  Dirty South funk.  The beats are much of the same vibe...all of which he produces himself.  Be sure to keep an eye on this dude...

I'm posting up his first two albums...both of which were released for free.  All you rappers...step your game up.

Big K.R.I.T. - K.R.I.T. Wuz Here

Big K.R.I.T. - The Return of 4Eva

"That's Why We Get High...'Cause You Never Know When You're Gonna Go."

Like I was saying in my last post...ELmatic has dropped.  It's the tribute to a rap legend's most legendary album...performed flawlessly by one of Detroit's lyrical kings who is skillfully backed up by Will Sessions Band, one of the best funk/MC backing bands around...and they're in my backyard.

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An Ode to a Classic....Motown Stylee.

Whatuptho.  In two days, Elzhi will release his anticipated solo project and homage to Nas, Elmatic.  With the almighty Will Sessions Band backing him up...people have been fiending for this one.  In the meantime, check out the video for "Halftime."  El is giving this gift to the fans for free...so if you like it make sure to check him out live or buy some of his future releases.

10 SXSW MCs To Keep An Eye On....

Here's a look at 10 artists who performed at SXSW that you need to look out for.....

-Thanks to thewellversed.com

Link

No One Can Do It Better....

This past week, the hip-hop world lost one of its most iconic and beloved voices with the passing of Nathaniel "Nate Dogg" Hale. I grew up on Nate Dogg hooks...and to me he was the best singer in rap music (way before T-Paine was biting Roger Troutman's style). There was no mistaking his voice or patented G-Funk style...and chances are, if Nate Dogg was on the hook, it was a good song.

The next time you're sipping or smoking...have one for Nate and bump this tribute mix. It was done by DJ Premier on his satellite radio show. Premo always does some of the best tribute mixes (Guru, James Brown)...in that he covers their material well. I also included a song that The Game did shortly after Nate passed away. R.I.P. to the great N.A.T.E. D-O-Double G.

DJ Premier - Nate Dogg Tribute Mix

The Game - All Dogs Go To Heaven (R.I.P. Nate Dogg)

Irish Rap Music For St. Patty's Day!

Ok, first off Happy Fuckin' St. Patrick's Day!!! A metaphoric cheers to all my mick brothers and sister...but everyone is Irish today! Pretty nice line up of Irish spitters on this track...which is not a theme you see a ton haha. Apathy has always been a favorite of mine and I think Diabolic is one of his proteges or something...but dope in his own right. Paradime has been a Detroit rap fixture for about as long as I can remember and every year he throws a big St. Patty's Day bash showing the Irish pride. Joe Scudda is so-so to me, I'll leave it at that. No fuckin idea who Rob Kelly is. Ryu has always been really dope to me and I was a huge Styles of Beyond fan. Mac Lethal is kinda crazy and sometimes his voice pisses me the fuck off...but he does have skills. It's not for everyone but I figured it was fitting for the holiday so...booyah.

Oh and the fact that it was called "O'Doyle Rules" really made me laugh...ahhh...remember when Adam Sandler was funny?

Diabolic, Apathy, Paradime, Joe Scudda, Rob Kelly, Ryu, and Mac Lethal - O'Doyle Rules

Stray Phrases - Donuts Live

This group of jazz musicians performs a live rendition of Dilla's instrumental opus Donuts.

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B.O.B. - No Genre

A bangin ass tape bestowed upon us from Bobby Ray. No Genre describes it pretty aptly...his voice and the production dip into many different styles..hot shit.

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88 Keys - Beats No More

This is a collection of unused beats from producer 88 Keys. Good for: DJs, MCs, studying, driving, chilling, smoking, and all types of ill shit.

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Fashawn - Higher Learning Vol. 2

This is the latest tape from the "New" West Coast MC Fashawn, who's been dropping consistent heat for the past couple years. Much love goes out to those artists who bless us with quality material for free. Check it out.....

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Money Making Jam Boys

After hearing several leaks from this mixtape over the past few months, we finally have the entirety of the Money Making Jam Boys'The Prestige: Jam Boy Magic here for free download. The crew of Black Thought, STS, Dice Raw, Truck North, and P.O.R.N. have collaborated to create this free collection of 17 new tracks of straight-ahead hip-hop. Listening to some of the leaks, you get the feeling these guys were just chilling in the studio, passing the microphone (and blunts and liquor) back and forth to spit their verses. In other words, it's almost like a 65-minute-long cipher. The mixtape features guest appearances from DJ Jazzy Jeff, Peedi Crakk, and Khari Mateen, with the latter providing some beats, too. -Prefix Mag

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Shady Dream Team?

So...there was some excitement in the world of hip-hop this past month due to the signing of Slaughterhouse and Yelawolf to Shady Records. I know when I heard I got pretty geeked. That's like something a hip-hop head dreams up...but not something that usually comes to fruition. But after my initial buzz of the news wore off, I began to think about the situation a little more critically.

Off the bat, I think it's a great move for Yelawolf. He's already building momentum and I gotta think that having Em as a mentor is only gonna make him step his game up. He's versatile and has a really good chance at blowing up...they'd really have to fuck that up for it not to work out. But it's not so simple with Slaughterhouse. You gotta keep in mind that all four members have had a shitload of label problems in the past. Joe Budden had major issues with the Def Jam machine. I think Royce...well I don't remember exactly what label he had problems with, but they contributed to his career not really being where it should be. Crooked I was signed to the infamous Death Row (I don't think that's worked out well for anyone in the history of rap). Joell Ortiz was signed to Aftermath working with...Dr. Dre of course...and we never saw even ONE song come from that partnership. So, with that being said, there has been instances in the past where a label signed some dope people and everyone got excited but then nothing came of it. At one point Roc-A-Fella had M.O.P., Twista, and a bunch of people that never even put an album out. Dr. Dre was with Rakim for a while and did like 1 song.

I guess I'm just saying I'm not gonna get my hopes up just yet. I'm really rooting for these dudes and I wanna see them do well. Yelawolf's album Trunk Music: 0-60 is definitely some good music from a dude who definitely has his own style (rare these days). He supposedly has his Shady/Interscope debut coming out this spring...we'll just have to wait and see. The Slaughterhouse EP just came out and it's hella dope...definitely cop that. Also, Joell Ortiz's heavily delayed solo album, Free Agent, just dropped and it's fire fire flame fo sho...check it out. If you're about hard-hitting rap and you respect lyrical fitness...support these guys...

Freddie Gibbs (feat. YP) - Something New

Happy Birthday Dilla!