DJ Enuff - My Definition of Hip Hop Vol. 2 (1997) 50 Cent's First Appearance

DJ Enuff was known for being Notorious BIG's road DJ. He also had a show on KISS FM from 1993-1994. DJ Enuff was part of the Flip Squad All-Star DJs, comprised of eight of New York City's most respected DJs -- Funkmaster Flex, Biz Markie, Doo Wop, Big Kap, DJ Enuff, Mister Cee, Cipha Sounds and Mark Ronson.

DJ Enuff released two volumes of mix cds in 1997 titled "My Definition of Hip Hop". People might not know these obscure releases as they were released only in France. The first volume was all French Hip Hop but the second volume was pure NY Hip Hop(except two freestyles in French). It features freestyles and mixes of tracks kind of like those Funk Flex mixtapes. It also features two of the rarest early 50 Cent recordings. There's a 50 Cent freestyle and an exclusive bonus track at the end. The credits reads "50 Cent appears courtesy of JMJ". I've never seen anyone online talk about this release or people mentioning these 50 Cent tracks...they're not even on those bootleg compilations! I almost forgot, there's also two freestyles from MC Supernatural!

Download

-- Thomas V

Substantial - To This A Sun Union Was Born

The following text is a partial info about this album and Substantial himself, taken off from Substantial's myspace page.

When Substantial was recording his debut album, …To This Union a Sun Was Born, he was driven by adversity. The Maryland native was struggling to balance school with a budding music career, was homeless at times and still reeling from having buried more than ten friends and family members.

“I met Substantial through PackFM and Mecca during the final throes of the NYC underground scene’s heyday,” says QN5 founder and artist Tonedeff. “They were all in a group together called Dominion and I had seen them. Immediately, I was blown away by his wordplay and delivery.” Tonedeff, Substantial, PackFM and Session would go on to form the group Extended Famm and release the critically acclaimed 2002 album Happy F*ck You Songs.

The production was handled by Nujabes and Monorisick.

** More info you can find on:
http://www.myspace.com/substantial
http://www.substantial-music.com/

Enjoy!

Substantial - To This Union A Sun Was Born (2001)

01. Intro
02. Substance
03. C.I.M.
04. More Than A Game
05. Somebody Stole My Shit
06. If I Was Your M.I.C.
07. Home Sweet Home
08. Kaliwhuchawon2
09. Be People
10. Love Song
11. Bananas
12. Remembering Dave
13. Ain't No Happy Endings
14. If I Was Your Mic (DJ Kiyo Mix)

Preview:


DOWNLOAD

-- Markshot

LMNO - This EP Reminds Me Of '93

You all know LMNO from Visionaries. Well this is one of his solo works. A dope EP, released on Up Above Records, an EP which not only reminds the artist of '93, it does to the listeners as well. Agree?

LMNO - This EP Reminds Me Of '93 (2004)


01. Ears Hear
02. One Small Fry
03. All That Mess Feat. Urbanites
04. Looking For A Way Out
05. Impressionism
06. Dust Off Your Saddles Feat. Circle Of Power

Preview:


DOWNLOAD

-- Markshot

Various Artists Cd - 'Balance' (Philadelphia 1999)

This is a somewhat obscure ep from 1999. Not sure how many of the tracks are exclusives but it's a nice lineup. It was co-produced by Cas and Omne, who had his hands in a number of other mid/late 90's philly releases. I really dig the 2nd cut 'the meanin' and 'so rich' by Ryan Banks. I have no idea if Ryan Banks did anything else, the track has grown on me. Also of interest are the 2 tracks by P.H.A., aka 'Power Hittin' Artist'. I became aware of him when Al at Crates Of Ag posted his 1st two singles. For those who slept, you can check them here --

http://alkuttraz.blogspot.com/2006/11/power-hittin-artist.html

Alkuttraz I hope you're reading man, this is some later material I hope is new to you. Here's a link for this cd --

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=BUS8YTK7

1. (:37) cas - intro
2. (3:38) ag, kamachi & dj revolution - the meanin' (they don't know)
3. (3:52) power hittin' artist - walk the route
4. (3:28) kamachi - copperfield
5. (3:38) maylay sparks, kamachi & dj jay-ski - unusual styles
6. (:19) cas - interlude
7. (3:34) ryan banks - so rich
8. (2:44) power hittin' artist - beats and rhymes
9. (4:12) last emperor, kamachi & dj jay-ski - nile nutrition

The weak link in the chain is number nine, but at least it's last. Altogether this is a head nodding compilation that's not well known but entirely worth having. Buy the cd if you can find it, I picked mine up for 3 bucks. Enjoy!

--Schenectadyfan

Pretty Tone Capone - Dismissed (CD Single) 1992

"And niggaz lost it when they heard 'Kick that Gangsta Shit" Cam'Ron

Here we have a rare cd single from Pretty Tone Capone of Mobstyle(Azie, Whimp Whop, Gangsta Luke) released in 1992. The two titled tracks are Case Dismissed and Kidnapped. There's a hidden track at the end, Gangster Shit Pt.2. Enjoy!

1 Case Dismissed (4:16)
2 Case Dismissed (Radio Version) (4:16)
3 Kidnapped (3:25)
4 Kidnapped (Radio Version) (3:25)
5 Gangster Shit, Pt. 2 (6:11)

Download

-- Thomas V

Resurrection '95 Vs. Large Professor Remix Vs. Extra P. Remix

12" Vinyl Single

A1 Resurrection '95 (Clean)

A2 Resurrection Extra P. Remix (Clean)

A3 Resurrection Large Professor Remix (Clean)

A4 Resurrection '95 Acapella

B1 Resurrection '95 Instrumental

B2 Resurrection Extra P. Instrumental

B3 Resurrection Large Professor Instrumental

B4 Chapter 13 (Clean)[not really clean, mislabelled]

[Download]

Before downloading, remember I put all these singles and samples in one folder at the bottom of the page. This is just if you already have something and don't want to download it all.

Resurrection CD Single

01. Resurrection '95 (Dirty)

02. Resurrection (Extra P. Remix)(Dirty)

03. Resurrection (Large Professor Remix)(Dirty)

04. Chapter 13 (Dirty)

05. Soul By The Pound (Thump Mix)(Dirty)

[Download]

So, you had to know this would be brought up here eventually. I'm not gonna get into how great the album was, what my favorites were off of it, how crazy I thought Communism was, or any of that at this time. Right now, it's all about one of the possibly greatest records to own, just for the remixes. I remember feeling stupefied when I first heard both remixes on the same night. I figured that one of them had to be unofficial or a really great homegrown remix. But when I copped the promo a week or two later and realized that they were both on the record and both done by the Large Professor, well, shit. And I only recently realized that only the CD single had the dirty versions, so you're gonna want to download everything here at the bottom of the post.

Which is your favorite is the question, though.

No ID's album version?

It's great in it's own right. I love that piano loop and here's the video-

Or the good mood inducing, summer day on your way out the city to the beach feeling, Large Professor Remix?

Or is it the Extra P Remix? This is my personal favorite and always has been. Some people can favor one today and the other tomorrow. This is so great with the night time 95 groove. That sample just blew my mind and still does. He was catching samples nobody else will ever be able to match.

Just plain awesome.

The Samples:

Ahmad Jamal - Dolphin Dance (og 95 mix sample snippet)

David Axelrod - The Signs Part2 (large professor remix sample snippet)

Spirit - Ice (extra p remix sample snippet)

[Download every song in this post in one folder here], including full versions of the samples.

[Back up link]

Sorry no drum breaks. Gotta find those yourself. But if you're really fiending for them, drop a comment and I'll send you in the right direction.

Let us know your favorite mix in the comments. So far, at the T.R.O.Y. forum, the Extra P Remix has a commanding lead. But the og No ID mix is on the creep...

--Verge

Da King & I - Flip Da Scrip (DJ Premier Remix) CD Single 1993

Here we have the CD Single of Da King & I 'Krak Da Weazel/bw Flip Da Scrip (Remix)'. The main reason I bought this CD Single was for the Flip Da Script (Remix) remixed by DJ Premier. Premier laced them a great beat with jazzy gang starr flavor. Krak Da Weazel is probably my favorite track on Contemporary Jeep Music after Tears. It's great to own this forgotten Premier Remix on CD! Enjoy,

1 Krak Da Weazel (Radio Edit) (3:13)
2 Krak Da Weazel (Vibe Track) (3:12)
3 Krak Da Weazel (Album Version) (3:13)
4 Flip Da Scrip (Remix) (Radio Edit) (3:52)
5 Flip Da Scrip (Remix) (Vibe Track) (3:52)
6 Flip Da Scrip (Remix) (Main Pass) (3:52)

Download

-- Thomas V

Bas Blasta - Dangerous (CD Single) 1994

Here we have the promo cd single of 'Bas Blasta - Dangerous' from 1995. Bas Blasta started his career on Nice & Smooth's second album Ain't A Damn Thing Changed, on a posse cut titled "Down The Line" along with Asu, Guru, Mello T, & Preacher Earl. He then released his first solo 12" single "Ain't Whatcha Do" produced by The Beatnuts in 1994. He followed right after with "Dangerous/bw The Rhythm" produced by The Groove Merchantz. Kid from Kid N Play has some background vocals on the chorus of "Dangerous" and "The Rhythm" is a posse cut with Fat Joe, Godfather Don, Juju, & Lord Finesse. Unfortunately on the CD Single, you only get "Dangerous" but at least it's in cdq. A video was shot for it which I embedded below. He was supposed to released a solo album titled "The Mouth That Roared" but it ended up being shelved and has never been leaked.



Enjoy,


1. Dangerous (Radio Edit)

2. Dangerous (Instrumental)

3. Dangerous (Acapella)


Download




-- Thomas V

Chilly Tee - Get Off Mine (CD 1993) The Bomb Squad

Chilly Tee isn't your regular 90's emcee; Travis Knight(Chilly Tee) is the son of then-Nike CEO & President Phil Knight. He released his first and only lp "Get Off Mine" in 1993 with a full album production from The Bomb Squad. But like fellow Bomb Squad's affiliates Young Back Teenagers, he wasn't a Vanilla Ice type of rapper. 7 of the 9 tracks from "Get Off Mine" are written by Firstborn of YBT while the other two are written by Chilly Tee himself. Some of the lyrics may not seem right(his dad was one of the richest at the time) but his flow is not bad; he sometimes uses the digge-dy das efx style but it's alright. You can't forget about the production though, definitely the main reason to check it out... Here's the Travis Knight of today.

Enjoy, Give Your Opinions.

1. Thinking Of A Master Plan (4:05)
2. One For The Trouble (3:45)
3. Get Off Mine (3:50)
4. I Guess She Didn't Know (3:55)
5. Audi Like Jetta (4:17)
6. On The Outz (4:34)
7. Krisis Of Identity (3:38)
8. Snap Ya' Neck To This (4:01)
9. Just Do It (3:33)

Produced By The Bomb Squad

Download

Samples:

--Thomas V

Jungle Brothers - I Got U (CD 2006) Japan

In 2002, The Jungle Brothers released their sixth studio album titled "All That We Do". Did y'all think that it was their last studio album? No, in 2006, The J Beez released a Japan-only studio album titled "I Got U". I would normally never post new albums but I was thinking that since it hasn't been scheduled for a release outside of Japan, why not unearth it to you readers? I Got U has a experimental sound to it. The album combines an old school & funky sound from these Rap Legends (since '87). Mike G is definitely on point each tracks with Baby Bam on the production tip. If you can find it, Buy It! You won't be dissapointed! Enjoy,

1. Back On The Road
2. Beats On A String
3. Come Down
4. Down Right Funk
5. Funky Magic
6. Back To The Ol Skool
7. My Streets On Fire
8. Ital Stew (Skeewiff Mix)
9. I Got U
10. Sunshine
11. Take It Back
12. We Love You JB's

Download

--Thomas V

Simple E - Colouz Uv Sound (CD 1994)

Simple E, a female emcee, is mainly known for the classic hit "Play My Funk" released on the Sugar Hill Soundtrack in 1993. She then followed with a full length release titled "Colouz Uv Sound" in 1994. The album had one guess appearance from Bay Area legend Spice 1. One thing that people might not be aware is that the album featured two productions from Mista Lawnge of Black Sheep and Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest. Since it is Native Tongues Month, I was pretty sure that a lot of people would be interested in those obscure productions. The rest of the album features jazz influenced beats. Simple E's flow is reminiscent of Missy Elliot. I'm not really sure where Simple E is from but her fan club is located in New Jersey. She is definitely from the East Coast. Enjoy,

1. Kum Follow Me
2. Day Ain't Reade
3. De Abyss
4. East Coast/West Coast (Feat. Spice 1)
5. Rant & Rave (Producer - Mista Lawnge)
6. Soul Searchin'
7. Kinke Reggae
8. Neck Work (Producer - Ali Shaheed Muhammad)
9. Paradigmz
10. Blue Jeans
11. An Innocent Rage
12. Realite
13. Play My Funk

Download



-- Thomas V

Tha Stik Up Kidz - F*ck A Record Deal! (CD 2002)

First, I would like to say that I have no information on this release. I randomly found it on Ebay while looking at a seller's items for sale. It was titled ''F*ck A Record Deal'' by Tha Stik Up Kidz. I decided to take a chance and buy it for a few bucks. When I received it, I immediately looked in the booklet and i spotted the release date '2002'. I was a little disappointed as I originally thought that it was something from the 90's. I played it on my cd player and it blew my mind. The Stik Up Kidz had lots of skills and the beats were on point! Listen to it and tell me if it's not a dope album. Track 2 , '93, takes you back to the days when MCs had skills. If you have any information on this album/group, please let me know. I don't even know where Tha Stik Up Kidz are from? Enjoy,

Download

-- Thomas V

Various Artists - On The Down Low (New York 1995)

This is a very dope cd I picked up awhile ago called 'On The Down Low'. It was recorded at House Of Hits, which I think is in New York. It was put out in 1995. All of the artists are from New York to my knowledge. A few of them I know other tracks from like Pretty Tone Capone and Preacher Earl. Pretty Tone Capone had some earlier releases too that are worth finding if you are not familiar with him.

The 1st is Case Dismissed / Kidnapped (1992)
The 2nd is Across 110th St. / Sexy / Marked 4 Death (1993)

Anyway, back to this particular release. I know our readers are fans of that timeless mid 90's boom bap and this cd is an unrecognized gem. What an amazing score for less than 3 dollars. In terms of content and temperament, I could probably compare the music here to the early lyricist lounge tapes from 1992-1997. I'm a sucker for these sorts of compilations and 'On The Down Low' hits like a champ. There are 2 r&b tracks on here, numbers 4 and 8. Given the strength of the other 10 selections, a couple of r&b tracks are excusable foul balls.

Here's the link and the tracklist --

01 (04:43) five & five - keys & g's
02 (04:26) big ds - keep it ill
03 (03:50) t-r-y-a-d-z - tryadz
04 (04:15) brown sugar - dreamin'
05 (05:32) xtra pleza - warpath
06 (03:37) kay superior - focus
07 (04:00) pretty tone capone - g-spot
08 (05:07) maurice - let me fix you
09 (04:21) gorilla l - on & on
10 (03:02) preacher earl & the ministry - 14 floors to the lobby
11 (04:30) phorced n' tre - the newcomer
12 (05:13) dem nigs - many styles

Download

Mixed by Evah Gorman, Norman Bullard, Kenny Ferracho, Sack Entertainment, Hitmen Productions, The Phathedz, Larue Cheatham, Soundwave Productions, and Ron Bowen.

I dont think many of these tracks appear anywhere else. Hit me up with some comments if you like this cd and I'll work hard to post more in the same vein.

--Schenectadyfan

Doo Wop “The Best Of Doo Wop Freestyle Sessions Volume One (1995)”

Ahhh... the summer of 1996. My first summer in Chicago and one of the first things I purchased. The guy at the record shop (The Beat Parlor) wouldn't let me leave the store without buying it. It came packaged in a jewel case, no cover, no notes, no nothing but shrink wrap.

While this cd is full of great freestyles, some of my favorites are the Mad Lion one and the beginning of the Channel Live track (tracks 25 and 26). Scan of cd included. And yes, that is blue paint over Doo Wop's contact number. It actually came like that.

And since it is Gang Starr month 2009, there is a nice Guru freestyle in there.

01 Doo Wop-Intro
02 Keith Murray-Freestyle
03 Q-Tip-Freestyle
04 Busta Rhymes-Freestyle
05 Rampage The Last Boyscout-Freestyle
06 Fat Joe-Freestyle
07 Uneek-Freestyle
08 M.O.P.-Freestyle
09 Guru-Freestyle
10 Raekwon & Carlton Fisk-Freestyle
11 Ill Al Skratch-Freestyle
12 Shabba Ranks-Freestyle
13 Tragedy Khadafi & Don Black-Freestyle
14 Smoothe Da Hustler & D.V. Alias Khrist-Freestyle
15 Doo Wop, Fat Joe, Akinyele, Pretty Boy Floyd & Lord Tariq-Freestyle
16 Doo Wop-Freestyle
17 KRS-One-Freestyle
18 Treach-Freestyle
19 Keith Murray & Redman-Freestyle
20 Mobb Deep & Big Noyd-Freestyle
21 AZ-Freestyle
22 Lost Boyz-Freestyle
23 Uneek-Freestyle
24 Cocoa Brovaz-Freestyle
25 Mad Lion & KRS-One-Freestyle
26 Channel Live-Freestyle
27 King Just-Freestyle
28 Buckshot Da B.D.I. Emcee-Freestyle

Download

enjoy,

-- dirt_dog

Saafir - One Of The Hardest (Vinyl EP & CD)

Click photo to download the mp3s off the vinyl EP

One of the hardest ... EPs to find information on? Absolutely. Recently, a denizen of the T.R.O.Y. Forum named Fak uploaded this seven track vinyl EP, which is for sale here and appears to have been released in 2005 on the equally elusive Drive-By Pimp Slap label (DBPS2-1). But confusion ensued in the thread - fellow blogger Markshot, among others, had come across an album of the same title but with eight tracks, two of which, "Back Up Off Me" and "Less Work," are similarly titled to songs on the vinyl version, but no exactly. Major WTF here.

Google Blog Search was not immediately helpful in this case, but with a little bit of sleuthing I was able to put the puzzle pieces together. A blog post from December 2006 that is now in 404 limbo proclaims that Saafir's One Of The Hardest EP is a limited edition: "saafir returns! 8 unreleased tracks (not on any other release) recorded between 1997-2002. hella limited. look out for a new album in the near forseeable future." This post apparently included a tracklist but the blurb visible in the search result only shows "1.less work 2.bad b*tch 3.touch somebody (feat. xzibit)," which matches the first three selections from Markshot's tracklist. That plus the "hella" suggested some pure west coast authenticity to me.

Further in the past, back in August 2005, SergDun from We Eat So Many Shrimp blogged about a Saafir concert he attended, in which the Saucee Nomad insisted on performing some brand new material which included songs called "Crispy" and "Cash Me Out." Now we're on to something! Afterwards, SergDun purchased a CD titled, you guessed it One Of The Hardest, which he described as "archived material from '97-'02." He then goes on to four of the songs that appear on his eight track CD, all of which appear on Markshot's playlist. Good then. Inspection of both files suggests that "Back Up" and "Back Up Off Me" are in fact the same songs with the same Ras Kass and Xzibit guest verses. Ditto for "Left Work" and "Less Work." Or at least the beats and lyrics are the same - they could be different takes for all I know, as the recording quality is much greater on the CD versions.

In any event, the music on these EPs falls far short of the bar Saafir set on Boxcar Sessions, but you probably knew that already. Even if you're of the belief that Saafir's more accessible reinvention beginning with Trigonometry was a step in the right direction (and this argument admittedly  has some merit) these EPs are not essential unless you're a completist. Saafir has rhymed better over iller beats elsewhere, point blank. But this is Saafir, so the EPs are filled with those sublime moments where he just goes the fuck off and says something totally unexpected in his trademark anxious robotic freestyle way. For some this will be reason enough to collect these semi-rarities.

For others who are unconvinced, peep this article from 2007 which explains that the lyrics from the song "One Of The Hardest" comprise a true-to-life account of Saafir's near brush with death as a survivor of a plane crash: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/01/03/DDG2JNAD6O1.DTL

Click on cover art to download the mp3s from the CD version

-- Thun

The Mandolindley Road Show (Paul C. McKasty)

I know what some of you are thinking right about now. You're saying to yourself what in the hell is this crap and why is it on my beloved T.R.O.Y. blog?

Sit back and let me drop some science for ya'll. While this might not be classified as hip-hop and for many it won't exactly be your brand of flavor either, this right here is HISTORY.

Back in November of '08 we blessed you with Paul C. Lives, an extensive journey into the musical genius of the late great Paul C. McKasty. For those not in the know, Paul C. was a member of the group Mikey D & the L.A. Posse. He also played mentor to Large Professor by schooling him on on how to use the SP-12 drum machine/sampler. When Paul passed, Large Pro took over production duties on much of the music Paul was working on before his death. Large Pro later created his owns publishing company, which is fittingly named Paul Sea Productions.

Large Professor wasn't the only producer Paul influenced, as both DJ Premier and Pete Rock cite Paul C as an influence as well. In addition he also worked with Eric B. & Rakim, Grandmaster Caz, Super Lover Cee & Casanova Rud and Stezo to name a few and was responsible for Organized Konfusion's (then Simply Too Positive) first demo tape that helped land them a deal with Hollywood Basic.

Out of all of his accomplishments, Paul is probably best known for his work on Ultramagnetic MC's classic debut album Critical Beatdown. His involvement in this album, as well as his lasting legacy in hip hop, is extensively documented in Dave Tompkins' article "Travelling At The Speed Of Thought."

Paul C. began his musical career as a bassist for the pop rock band The Mandolindley Road Show. After the group disbanded, Paul started producing for many hip-hop acts, and because he preferred to work without contracts, he often did not receive credit for his production.

Tragically in '89 Paul C was found shot to death in Rosedale, Queens, at the age of 24 . His murder was featured on America's Most Wanted, which lead to the arrest of Derrick "Little Shine" Blair, who was later released due to lack of evidence. The case has yet to be solved.

Today we remember Paul as the fun-loving guy, rap legend and talented musician as we showcase his first group, The Mandolindley Road Show.

The Mandolindley Road Show

(Stuart Rifkin, Lindley Farley, Paul C. McKasty)

Click Here To Download Album

01		Original Man
02		Contrary
03		Medicine
04		You Taught Me Well
05		To Different People, You're Different Things
06		The Arms Of Danger
07		First To Fight
08		Sentimental Stranger
09		Older Women
10		I've Got A Hatchet
11		The Three Cavaliers
12		Graduation
13		Fare-Thee-Well

Here is the groups first video shot in 1985.


Rehearsing at JB Studios in Long Island in June 1985.

Special thanks to our friend Nathan Smart and Mandolindley's lead Lindley Farley for making this post come to fruition. --Philaflava

R.I.P.
Paul C. McKasty

Above The Law

Thought we were plagued by an East Coast bias? Guess again. Today we salute Above The Law. T.R.O.Y. forum regular and occasional blog contributor Jaz (of Cold Rock Da Spot fame) was kind enough to supply us with the uploads. Click on the album covers to download.

Enjoy these albums and while you're at it, educate yourself by reading the artist bio courtesy of AllMusic:

Part of the post-N.W.A explosion of California gangsta rap, Above the Law came out of the eastern Los Angeles suburb of Pomona; leader Cold 187um, aka Big Hutch (born Gregory Hutchinson), was joined by KMG the Illustrator (born Kevin Dulley), Go Mack (born Arthur Goodman), and DJ Total K-Oss (born Anthony Stewart). Mixing '70s vintage funk and soul samples with live instrumentation (Hutchinson had studied jazz while in school), the group signed withEazy-E's Ruthless Records and issued their debut album, Livin' Like Hustlers, in 1990; split into violence- and sex-themed sides, it was co-produced by Dr. Dre (prior to N.W.A's rancorous breakup) and received well in gangsta circles. The Vocally Pimpin' EP appeared in 1991, and the full-length follow-up, Black Mafia Life, was released in 1993. Go Mack left the group shortly thereafter, and Above the Law stuck with the trio format for their last Ruthless album, 1994's Uncle Sam's Curse, which featured greater contributions from KMG. Following Eazy-E's tragically sudden death, Above the Law left Ruthless for Tommy Boy, debuting in 1996 with Time Will Reveal; although the lyrics stuck with the group's well-worn gangsta themes, it demonstrated that Big Hutch's skills as a G-funk producer were becoming ever more polished...