Up North Trips

Somebody from the site just put me on to Up North Trips. I'm telling you that you could easily spend hours just checking out their archive.

Wait are you waiting for? Up North Trips

Sounds Like The 90s Vol. 13 (2010)

Nope, you're reading the title right. If I'm being completely honest here, the real reason for the delay was I was just waiting on some good music in 2010. Being that most of the tracks I select for compilations are current I didn't just want to throw something together and label it SLT9s.

For the past two years I've taken ample time in creating this series. In selecting the right tracks, to sequencing them, to finding the best quality mp3s available. I still don't know if there has been an abundance of dope music in '10, but there is there plenty of time left. We're always open to suggestions so continue to leave comments or shoot us an email with the goodness.

Peace to my T.R.O.Y. fam for helping me gather some of these joints. Special shouts go to to Strategy, Blake Reznik, Meyhem Lauren, Ide, Skavenger,Verge, Open Mike Eagle and Dirt Dog for the ill cover. Enjoy Volume 13 and stay tuned for plenty more to come in 2010. --Philaflava

T.R.O.Y. Presents - Sounds Like The 90s Vol. 13

1. Freeway & Jake One – Throw Your Hands Up
2. Black Thought – Contract On The World feat. Dice Raw & Porn
3. The LOX – Slow Down (You’re Killin’ Em)
4. Smiley The Ghetto Child – I’m Legend (prod. DJ Premier)
5. Freddie Gibbs – The Ghetto
6. U.G. – Beat Yo Ass
7. Big Noyd – New York Lights
8. Meyhem Lauren – 7000 Thoughts
9. Roc Marciano - Snow
10. Mobb Deep – Whole Lotta Thug (prod. Alchemist)
11. Sadat X – Turn It Up feat. Pete Rock
12. Consequence – Let U Live feat. Pharoahe Monch
13. Ski Beatz – Prowler 2 ft. Jean Grae, Jay Electronica, Joell Ortiz & Mos Def
14. Wu-Massacre - Dangerous
15. U.G. – My Soldiers feat. Steele & Casual
16. Open Mike Eagle – Unapologetic feat. Nocando
17. Planet Asia & Goldchain Military – Organic Food (prod. Large Professor)
18. Tanya Morgan - Cheesesteak
19. Meyhem Lauren – Treat Her Like A Prostitute feat. Thristin Howl III
20. Brotha Lynch Hung - Meat

Download
Download #2

Related:
(Download) Sounds Like The 90s Volumes 1-12

Update on Guru's health

GURU'S HEALTH STATUS IS STABLE, NOT IN COMA; ISSUES OFFICIAL STATEMENT

UPDATE: Guru is diagnosed by his doctors as ailing from Anoxia due to his history of lung problems and asthma. Guru is NOT in coma and he continues to recover. The doctors are hopeful for a full recovery. Thoughts and prayers have been with legendary Hip-Hop emcee Guru since his hospitalization earlier this month due to a heart attack. Solar, the rapper's longtime partner and best friend, said Guru has a history of lung problems and asthma and is slowly recovering. Guru, born Keith Elam, recently disclosed his first statement, assuring the public that he is recuperating, and that his producer Solar will stand as his representative during his recovery. "I am doing fine and I am recovering! I'm weak though," Guru said. "Solar is the only person who has the accurate info on my situation. Any info from anybody else is false. I appreciate your well wishes and all the love!" The producer expressed similar sentiments about the rapper's health status, saying: "Guru is resting and doing well. The doctors say that he will fully recover from his illness. We thank everyone who send prayers our way and we appreciate the outpouring of love from fans around the world!" There are a lot of rumors and false allegations circulating around, but Guru explicitly named Solar his official spokesperson and the hit producer is taking this position very seriously. "Guru has entrusted me to be accurate and truthful in relaying information to the media," Solar said. The producer is in constant contact with Guru's relatives like the MC's father and brother who have visited the legendary rapper numerous times. "When a patient is in such critical conditions it is very common that not everyone is allowed to enter the room, especially when Mr. Keith Elam doesn't want to see certain people," one of Guru's doctors said. Many Hip-Hop artists from around the world sent well wishes to Guru but some people from his past are trying to shed bad light on his partner Solar for his position in this situation. In a previous interview with AllHipHop.com, Guru made it clear that he and his former deejay and some people he used to work with were never that close. "People ask me about [...] all that. We were never all that close. We hooked up in the studio and did great music, but we were never hanging and all that cool. Solar and I, we got tight before we even started doing music." Guru, the sole founder of the world-famous Hip-Hop duo GangStarr, is reluctant to talk about his GangStarr past, especially his ex-DJ who he hasn't spoken to in over 7 years. "That's something I don't want to talk about. I don't want to talk about the past. The past is the past. It is what it is. It was great, but that was then and this is now." said Guru. Doctors have not given any indication as to when Guru might be released, but the rapper is touched by the fan support. "The outpouring of love from around the world has been tremendous," Solar said. "I'm reading some of the best e-mails, texts and Twitters that come in and Guru enjoys them. I think that's what has been helping his recovery and what's got him in there fighting." During what must be an incredibly hard and stressful period in life, keep sending your prayers, thoughts, and wishes to Guru, Solar and his loved ones. In homage to Guru and his outstanding career, his record label 7 Grand Records decided to upload all his classic music videos to the label's official YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/7grandrecords. WEBSITES www.myspace.com/guru7grand www.twitter.com/gurugangstarr www.youtube.com/7grandrecords www.myspace.com/gangstarr Audio File of Solar being Solar

The Ultimate J Rock Post

Before we get started none of this would have been possible if not for the incredible work TheBigSleep has put into this post. If you want crazy images, mp3s and more info about this then click here. Take a moment to say thanks once you're done reading and downloading. --Philaflava

Discography
Biography
Press

J Rock with a Porsche in Poughkeepsie, New York (1991):


“This is like the Amerikkka’s Most Wanted of the New York ghetto. Probably one of the most gangsta albums in sound that we’ve heard… the fact that this came out in 1991 simply shows its brilliance further.” Chris Aylen – Spine Magazine

In 1989, an nineteen year old MC from Newburgh, NY named J Rock was discovered by independent label owner Jeff Murphy. Shortly thereafter, the two would collaborate, along with upstart producers DJ Premier & Easy Mo Bee to produce a memorable album called Streetwize. Actually, J Rock had released a 12” single entitled The Chosen One prior to releasing Streetwize in early 1990 on Murphy’s Ghetto Groovz Label. Moderately received by the hip hop community, it got some airplay on various hip hop and college radio stations. After the single, J Rock knew he needed to improve his skills, so he put together a homemade studio and went to work. “The Chosen One was a wake up call, it showed me that I was not ready and that I had to work on my skills” recalled J Rock. “I had to prove to Jeff that I was ready to put in the time and commitment that it would take to make it work.”

While working on his lyrical skills, J Rock also discovered that he had talent producing tracks. “After we did The Chosen One, Jeff got Premier and Mo Bee to do some tracks for me and the other artists he had on the label. While we were in the studio, I watched Premier and I learned from him how to put together tracks.” J Rock took what he learned into the studio and put together a demo that he eventually sent in to The Source Magazine. He was featured in the Unsigned Hype column of the December 1990 issue. It stated that “this is the type of shit you’d hear at a battle in a playground and this is the type of MC that might walk away with the belt”. After the feature, Murphy and J Rock along with DJ Big Chris went back into the studio to complete the album.

The eighteen track album contained tales of daily life in the ghetto and ultimately became a critical success, receiving many positive reviews, including a glowing review in The Bomb Hip Hop newsletter in which it was given four stars. Two videos, Save the Children and Neighborhood Drug Dealer were produced for the album. They were shown on Yo! MTV Raps and other rap video shows. The album has become a collectors item, with people paying top dollar for an original copy. The lasting appeal of Streetwize showed itself again in July 2006 when a story about the album appeared in Wax Poetics. J Rock explains the continued interest, “I think that real hip hop heads know what time it is, they know what’s good and what’s not and they appreciate Streetwize for what it is, real hardcore simplistic hip hop, you don’t hear this kinda stuff anymore."

J Rock – The Source's Unsigned Hype Demo Tape - 1990 (192 CBR)

01. Intro
02. The Messiah (Demo Version)
03. Let's Get It Together (Demo Version)
04. Streetwize (Demo Version)
05. Cazanova (Demo Version)
06. Neighborhood Drug Dealer (Demo Version)
07. Outro

J Rock – Streetwise 15th Anniversary Edition - 1991 (V2 / VBR)

01. Let Me Introduce Myself (Co-produced by Easy Mo Bee & J Rock)
02. Under Arrest (Produced by J Rock)
03. Streetwize (Produced by J Rock)
04. Butality (Co-produced by DJ Premier & J Rock)
05. The Pimp (Produced by DJ Premier, Scratches by DJ Premier)
06. The Shakedown (Produced by J Rock)
07. Neighborhood Drug Dealer (Produced by J Rock)
08. Don't Sleep On Me (Produced by J Rock)
09. Root of All Evil (Produced by J Rock)
10. The Messiah (Produced by J Rock)
11. Ghetto Law (Produced by DJ Premier, Scratches by DJ Premier)
12. Around My Way (Produced by J Rock)
13. The Real One (Co-produced by DJ Premier & J Rock)
14. Another Tough Guy (Produced by J Rock, Bass by Shlomo Sonnenfeld)
15. Dead (Produced by J Rock)
16. Save the Children (Produced by J Rock)
17. Cazanova (Produced by J Rock)
18. Let's Get It Together (Produced by J Rock)
19. Get Rek (Produced by Easy Mo Bee)
20. Neighborhood Drug Dealer Remix (Produced by DJ Premier)
21. Don't Sleep On Me Remix (Co-produced by DJ Big Chris & Jeff Murphy)
22. Save the Children Remix (Produced by J Rock)

J Rock – Streetwise 15th Anniversary Edition Instrumentals (256 CBR)

01. Let Me Introduce Myself (Instrumental)
02. Streetwize (Instrumental)
03. Brutality (Instrumental)
04. Neighborhood Drug Dealer (Instrumental)
05. Don't Sleep On Me (Instrumental)
06. The Messiah (Instrumental)
07. Around My Way (Instrumental)
08. The Real One (Instrumental)
09. Another Tough Guy (Instrumental)
10. Save the Children (Instrumental)
11. Cazanova (Instrumental)
12. Get Rek (Instrumental)
13. Save the Children (Remix Instrumental)

J Rock – Save the Children:




Ghetto Groovz Collection (80 CBR)

01. MCM - Get Hyped
02. MCM - Young & Ambitious
03. J Rock - No Pain
04. J Rock - The Chosen One
05. J Rock - The Chosen One (Chosen Mix)
06. J Rock - Save the Children Remix
07. J Rock - Get Rek
08. J Rock - Neighborhood Drug Dealer (Gettin' Paid Remix)
09. J Rock - Neighborhood Drug Dealer (DJ Premier Boombox Jeep Mix)
10. J Rock - Don't Sleep On Me Remix

This isn't even half of the original post. Check out the thread for more info and shouts out to TheBigSleep, BigLOnline, FileUnderDope, HSPussy, Press Rewind and the DJ Premier blogspot all for making this post possible.

Attn: Bumpy Knuckles - Please Destroy Solar

Okay this shit won't end. Apparently Guru ain't recovering like we had hoped. All the online statements have been bullshit. I don't know how ANYONE can watch these videos and read what has been posted by fellow bloggers, rappers and friends of Guru and still have the nerve to defend Solar. The man is Suge Knighting him and if this continues he'll end up just like Pac did.

I don't know what its going to take but holla at me @bumpyknuckles because I will gladly Paypal you some coin to remove this cancer that is eating away our homie Guru. Every day that passes is just another day of lies, manipulation and greed. Every fan, friend and supporter of the Gang Starr Foundation has to continue to spread the word and continue to pray for Guru. We cannot allow a no-talent hack like Solar do this much damage to a person, the foundation and more importantly the Elam family. He must be removed by any means necessary. Word is bond!





Related:

Solar kills Gang Starr
Exclusive interview with Guru and Solar

Random VLS Drops: Gang Starr - The ? Remainz

Fresh 320kbps vinyl rip

A1 Suckas Need Bodyguards (Clean)

A2 Suckas Need Bodyguards (Dirty)

A3 Suckas Need Bodyguards (Instrumental)

B1 The ? Remainz (Clean)

B2 The ? Remainz (Dirty)

B3 The ? Remainz (Instrumental)

[Download Full VLS Here] re-upped 4-15-10

Classic b-side winner. The dopest song from Hard To Earn, that wasn't on Hard To Earn.

What could be more fitting on a night like this?

Hope you pull through, Guru.

Peep the video in high quality.

Gang Starr - Suckas Need Bodyguards

Pics jacked from discogs, but the vinyl was ripped by me.

--verge

Ras Kass - The Endangered Lyricist

Just today I received an email from Kris over at Ras Kass Central, where he has a Canibus-like online following and I noticed they're starting this campaign called "Save Ras Kass." Now, it's no secret that he is one of my favorite lyricists of all-time. It's no secret that T.R.O.Y. has showed Ras Kass more love than most rappers discussed here. In fact, I'm willing to bet there hasn't been a blog out there that has come close to what we have done as far as support goes.

Just check the record.

Ras Kass - What Could Have Been?

Ras Kass - Non-Album Tracks (1994-1996)

All The Ras Kass Singles That Really Matter
Help A Blogger Out: Won't Catch Me Runnin'
Ras Kass - On Earth As It Is...Remix?
Ras Kass - Soul On Ice Demo (Remastered)

So getting back to this viral marketing they're doing. What exactly does Ras Kass need saving from? He is no longer in prison. He is no longer signed to Priority Records (at least, I believe so). He is no longer beefing with established rappers (who aren't nearly as talented as he is) like Game. So basically Ras Kass needs saving from Ras Kass. Maybe it's the folks he surrounds himself with. Maybe it's his management? Maybe, just maybe Ras Kass needs go back to the basics and realize what made him the lyricist he is today.

Below we're sold on "15 of Ras Kass' classic songs to remind everyone why Ras Kass is one of the top 5 emcees. " yet we all can look at this track list and easily pick apart a handful of selections that are suppose to help remind us of his G.O.A.T. status. No Sonset? No Etc.? No Jack Frost? No Music Bizness? No Oral Sex (pause)? No Won't Catch Me Runnin"? No Remain Anonymous?

You know the saying you only get one chance for a first impression? Well he's had multiple chances and he still isn't getting it right. I'm not here to pick apart what Ras does, it's only because I have so much respect and expectation for him as an emcee that I feel this adamant about his career and his choices he has made over the years. So download this mixtape and hear glimpses of why Ras Kass was once not to be fucked with and hopefully he'll find his way back home. We've all been waiting. Hip-hop has been waiting. - Jason Gloss

Download Album

	1.	Save the Ras Kass Intro 00:13
	2.	Revelations 22:22 02:53
	3.	Goldyn Chyld (remix) 03:37
	4.	Soul on Ice (remix) 04:16
	5.	Home Sweet Home 03:47
	6.	Understandable Smooth 04:06
	7.	Live As I 04:27
	8.	Van Gogh 04:17
	9.	Bentleys & Bitches 03:17
	10.	I Know I'll Be Free 04:44
	11.	Write Where I Left Off 04:27
	12.	Interview With a Vampire 06:55
	13.	Rasassination 04:04
	14.	H20 Proof 04:21
	15.	Nature of the Threat 07:43
	16.	Ghetto Fabulous 04:33

Links:
http://raskass.bandcamp.com/album/the-endangered-lyricist
http://savetheraskass.com/

Bumpy Knuckles dissing Guru and Cormega

Peace to Big Do over at Purehip-hop for posting this. If there is one rapper who doesn't hold his tongue and can back it up, its Knuckles. Check the latest ether where Bumpy goes at Guru and Cormega. Tell us what you think. --Philaflava

Bumpy Knuckles - 81 Bars of Murder (prod. Alchemist)

Who Flipped It Better? "The Rub"

George and Gwen put out "The Rub" back in 1975, on the album "Together". It still sounds perfectly fresh today! Listen as the funk makes you bop your head...

George and Gwen Mc Crae - THE RUB


How many producers out there have heard this and thought, "shit, I shoulda flipped it".

Well, it's well known that no one owns no loops, so, go ahead and compete with the best:

MOBB DEEP-CAME UP



BRAND NUBIAN - THE RETURN



METHOD MAN AND REDMAN - SERIAL KILLER



THE COUP - FAT CATS AND BIGGA FISH:





-cenzi stiles

dirt_dog Remix Pack 3

Here we go again with round 3 of the dirt_dog Remix Pack. For this set of 5 songs I decided to go with the Pete Rock and DJ Premier remixes that I used to bump from my cd single collection. Whenever a discussion about great remixes comes up, everyone praises the Pete Rock "Shut Em Down" remix. Personally I love it too, but I've always felt that his version of "Nighttrain" was completely overlooked. If you missed Remix Pack 1 or 2, go HERE or HERE.

Remix Pack 3

01 Public Enemy-Nighttrain (Pete Rock Strong Island Mt. Vernon Meltdown)

02 Shyheim-On & On (Premier Remix)

03 Das EFX-Real Hip Hop (Pete Rock Remix)

04 Blahzay Blahzay-Danger (DJ Premier Remix Street Mix)

05 EPMD-Rampage (Hardcore To The Head Mix) feat. L.L. Cool J

DOWNLOAD

enjoy,

--dirt_dog

DJ Premier: Roc Raida Tribute

Last night DJ Premier did what he does best, set shit off on his Live From HeadQCourterz Sirus satellite radio show. Rest in piece Raida.

Download

Courtesy of the DJ Premier Blog.

DJ Premier - Originals

As the cover states, this is a continuous mix of funk & soul as sampled by DJ Premier. It also has some rock, jazz, fusion, and soundtrack cuts. And it's actually divided into three lengthy tracks. Which is better, IMO, than the entire mix being on one track. No tracklist at all here. There's a bunch of obvious samples that you probably already know. But don't sleep, there are quite a few I never heard and they are treats. You should notice a few that were used by other producers, too.

Something strange about this CD, though. The same exact mix was released in 2002 as "Primo's Bakery". And there is no credit on either mix as to who mixed it. WTF?! Unless it was by Primo, himself, or somebody who wants to remain anonymous. I dunno, man.

On google, all the info I could find on "Primo's Bakery" were places to download it and places to buy donuts and banana bread. The only info I could find on this release was the label to purchase it from, Boomkat.

Definitely worth a cop just for that bad ass cover. Too bad it's not on vinyl. Not yet, at least.

Check The Previews:

Part 1-

Part 2-

Part 3-

[Download Here]

[Back Up Link]

--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

Sounds Like The 90's (Volume 8)

Better late than ever...

I was actually waiting on a few tracks before I finalized this but I won't continue to bore you with semantics. Let's get right in to the mix, it's definitely more east coast heavy this time around but I feel it complete that proper summer blend I was going for. Enjoy! --Philaflava

Sounds Like The 90's (Volume 8)

1. Statik Seletah - Critically Acclaimed feat. Lil Fame, Saigon & Sean Price
2. Nut-Ragous - NYC To LA feat. Jay Rock
3. Slaughterhouse - Microphone (prod. Alchemist)
4. Uncle Murder - Summertime Shootouts (prod. DJ Premier)
5. French Montana - New York Minute (Remix) feat. Jadakiss, Lil Cease, Mic Geronimo & Noreaga
6. Rakim - Holy Are You
7. DJ Honda - Magnetic Arts feat. Mos Def
8. Atmosphere - Feel Good Hit of The Summer 2
9. Luckyiam - Sumpthin 2 Say feat. Imani & Pep Love
10. Raekwon - Flying Daggers feat. Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah & Method Man
11. J Dilla - Reality TV feat. Black Thought
12. Nino Bless - Boom Bap Shit feat. Skyzoo, Ras Kass, Rhymefest & Scram Jones (prod. Madlib)
13. Havoc - Always Have A Choice
14. Tame One - Freedom of Speech
15. Young Chris - Last Two feat. Freeway & Beanie Sigel
16. Freedie Gibbs - How We Do ('93 Til Freestyle)*
17. Ras Kass - Mike Jacks*

* Bonus Freestyles

Download Sounds Like The 90's (Volume 8)

Link #1 (Mediafire)

Link #2 (Deposit Files)
Link #3 (Zshare)
Link #4 (Rapidshare)

Catch up on all 8 volumes here.

Peace and props to Kalel for knocking out this cover last minute and incorporating my idol (Rickey) on it. Big shout out to Strategy for taggin' and bagging this mix properly so you all could have little pretty images and proper tags for each track. Peace to the T.R.O.Y. and Steady Bloggin' fam. We run this blogosphere rap shit!

Sounds Like The 90's (Volume 7)

Summer is upon us and this weekend many of us will be settin' off fireworks and grubbing on some BBQ. So what better timing than now to drop the official soundtrack of Independence Day??!!!??!

Sounds Like The 90's Vol. 7

. Wu-Tang Clan - Radiant Jewels feat. Raekwon, Cormega & Sean Price

2. Mos Def - Auditiorium feat. Slick Rick
3. Kurious - Sittin' In My Car
4. DJ JS-1 - Ridiculous feat. O.C. & Pharoahe Monch
5. Blaq Poet - Rap Addiction feat. Shabeeno of NYGz & Lil Fame
6. Grand Puba - Same Old Drama feat. Large Professor
7. General Steele - Riot feat. Sean Price, Illa Noyz & UG
8. Marco Polo & Torae - Smoke feat. Lil Fame & Rock
9. Blaq Poet - Voices
10. DJ JS-1 - Orginal G'z feat. A.G., Craig G. & Edo G.
11. Funkdoobiest - The Heavyweight Funk
12. Lushlife - Another Word For Paradise feat. Camp Lo
13. Drake - Think Good Thoughts feat. Phonte & Elzhi
14. Mos Def - Life In Marvelous Times
15. Godamus Rhyme - Stress '09
16. Tame One - Suede Adidas
17. Michael Jackson - This Time Around feat. Notorious B.I.G. (Bonus Track)

Download Link #1
Download Link #2

Track Breakdown:

Wu-Tang Clan - Radiant Jewels feat. Raekwon, Cormega & Sean Price
One of the best cut & paste collabos you'll hear all year. Cormega rips the track to shreads.

Mos Def - Auditiorium feat. Slick Rick
Mos Def + Madlib + Slick Rick = winner!

Kurious - Sittin' In My Car
I'll all about sequencing and this is some quintessential 90's hip-hop.

DJ JS-1 - Ridiculous feat. O.C. & Pharoahe Monch
No Metal Thangz, but pretty damn good. Check out J's site.

Blaq Poet - Rap Addiction feat. Shabeeno of NYGz & Lil Fame
Another banger courtesy of Premier. Nostalgia rap shit right here!

Grand Puba - Same Old Drama feat. Large Professor
Short and sweet but when two vets go line-4-line you take it.

General Steele - Riot feat. Sean Price, Illa Noyz & UG
Sean P always does damage and Steele shines as well but I put this on here so you could hear the return of Cella Dwella's UG.

Marco Polo & Torae - Smoke feat. Lil Fame & Rock
Don't sleep on that MP & Torae album. This is another reason to cop!

Blaq Poet - Voices
Another Blaq Poet track but given the subject matter I thought it was relevant for the mix.

DJ JS-1 - Orginal G'z feat. A.G., Craig G. & Edo G
I'm an A.G. fan so when he comes correct, best believe I'm listening. One of the better tracks off the new JS-1 LP.

Funkdoobiest - The Heavyweight FunkIt's as if they never left us.

You got $45 to drop on their new album? Go here.

Lushlife - Another Word For Paradise feat. Camp Lo
It's nice to hear the old Camp Lo again. For more info about Lushlife click here.

Drake - Think Good Thoughts feat. Phonte & Elzhi
Canada's new "It" boy who is spits over the 9th Wonder track along side with Phonte and the ever-dope Elzhi.

Mos Def - Life In Marvelous Times
Anyone else think Mos is back? I'm leaning towards YES!

Godamus Rhyme - Stress '09
This month Godamus tackles the OK classic. If you've missed the previous Godamus Rhyme tracks click here.

Tame One - Suede Adidas

Proof that Tame can still black-out when he wants to.

Michael Jackson - This Time Around feat. Notorious B.I.G. (Bonus Track)
I didn't feel right making this compilation and not paying tribute to MJ.

Collect and download the previous 6 volumes here.

Super props to Kalel for always providing the dope covers and Strategy for completing the Sounds Like The 90's series.

RIP MJ
The King of Pop. There will never be another.

Exclusive Interview with Guru (Gang Starr) and Solar

Exclusive Interview with Guru (Gang Starr) and Solar

As you can imagine I was ecstatic to interview Guru, who I feel is one of the the most prominent emcees of our time. He's was part of one of the most influential hip-hop groups ever.

Now I've done interviews with Ghostface Killah, AZ, Cormega, Kurupt and Ras Kass just to name a few, and never have I balked at asking a question. I do these interviews as a fan not a journalist.

Prior to the interview I was informed that Solar would be accompanying Guru on the interview. I had no problem with this, but I was not prepared being that I was under the impression it was just Guru. Not to mention the fact I knew very little about Solar and didn't have ample time to study his work and create some questions for him.

I was also informed that Guru requests no questions about Gang Starr or DJ Premier. Well, when I heard that I thought how am I going to do this interview without bringing up the past? Without a past there is no present. There is no Guru 8.0, there is no fans buying the album or attending their concerts. How could you have an interview with Guru and completely ignore the past?

Every Paul McCartney interview you hear John Lennon is always brought up. Every Scottie Pippen interview you hear Michael Jordan is brought up. You don't think C.L. Smooth gets asked about Pete Rock all the time? The shit goes with the territory and as an artist you have to understand that. We're not talking about an intimate relationship about an ex-wife, this is about a very public and professional relationship that was in our faces, in our tape decks, in our magazines and on our radios for 20+ years. You cannot dismiss that.

Now I understand both their positions about wanting to move forward, but as fans and long time supporters we should be entitled to know what happened, right? How come Guru won't work with DJ Premier? How come there is no more Gang Starr Foundation? What happened to his childhood friend Big Shug who he no longer friendly with? Why has Guru chosen to work exclusively with Solar?

These are very legitimate questions with absolutely no maliciousness behind them. This isn't about hating on their future. This isn't about not supporting Guru and Solar, this is about how did we get to where we are today? Prior to doing this interview I read a few recent Guru and Solar interviews and even saw a clip and it was no secret that when the mention of Gang Starr or Premier happens the interview takes a sharp turn. I didn't want any knee-jerk reactions and I definitely didn't want to agitate either of them, but still I wanted to get my questions in somehow because I felt we deserved some answers.

As loyal and longtime fans, we are the shareholders or their stock. Without us there is no Gang Starr, no Guru, no Solar. That's not to say we are owed an answer to everything but when it becomes public you can't expect the very people who run out the Tuesday to cop your album to simply forget past. My biggest concern with this interview was making it an informative an informative one. I may have failed or succeeded in some eyes but I gave it my best and now you can make the call yourself. Apologizes in advance as you can imagine how hard it is to conduct an interview over the phone, much less with two people answering at will.

Philaflava Interview w/Guru & Solar - Part 1


Philaflava Interview w/Guru & Solar - Part 2



Click here to download the new REMASTERED FULL INTERVIEW (40 minutes)

All in good fun...

Check out the interview in its entirety and make sure you leave your comments and question for both for both Guru and Solar.

And if you've been living under a rock, you missed one of the the most in-depth Gang Starr celebrations ever on the blogosphere. Catch up here - Gang Starr month from April.

Check out Guru & Solar at www.guru7grand.net

Peace,

Jason Gloss
philaflava@philaflava.com

DJ 3rd Rail - Gang Starr Megamix

DJ 3rd Rail is one of the dopest hip hop DJs to ever come out of Chicago. In the late 90s, he released a classic Gang Starr Foundation mixtape. Here is the tape rip. Make sure to check out the audio samples!

Side A
1. Alongwaytogo
2. Lovesick
3. To Be A Champion
4. Positivity
5. Suckas Need Bodyguards
6. 2 Deep
7. Mass Appeal
8. Credit Is Due
9. Step In The Arena
10. I'm The Man

Side B
1. Speak Ya Clout
2. You Know My Steez
3. Up Against The Wall
4. Da Bitchez
5. Total Wreck
6. Take It Personal
7. Dwyck
8. Paper Thin
9. Doe In Advance
10. So Wassup
11. Not Your Average

Preview:

Side A


Side B


Download both sides in one mediafire folder:
http://www.mediafire.com/?yylz1gdy30x

--Roy Johnson

DJ Premier WBLS Thunderstorm Vol.6 + Extras

Unless they are more to be released, here we have the last volume(vol.6) of the DJ Premier Thunderstorm WBLS radio show series. The selection of the tracks played on here are different from the ones from previous volumes; the main reason being that this show is from 1995(based on the tracklist) while the previous ones were aired in 1994. This is my personal favorite mix of all the thunderstorm shows that I've heard! For all you diggers, the show starts with a demo from a dope unsigned emcee called Rambo; I believe that the track is produced by Ski as his name is mentioned on the first break. I splitted that demo into a single file which you can download below this mix! Premier then mixes your favorites mid 90's hip hop tunes. Bahamadia even makes an appearance and talks about her then up&coming album Kollage.

Enjoy,

Tracklist
01. Rambo - Like That (Demo) Produced By Ski
02. Notorious B.I.G. - Who Shot Ya
03. Ol' Dirty Bastard - Brooklyn Zoo
04. Smif N Wessun - Stand Strong
05. Dr. Dre - Keep Their Heads Ringin
06. Half-A-Mil - Anyday Can Be Ya Last
07. Dark Skinned Assassin - Lock Shit Down
08. Keith Murray - Pay Per View
09. Jay-Z - In My Lifetime
10. Showbiz & A.G. - Next Level (Nyte Time Mix)
11. Big L - Put It On (L.G. Remix)
12. Heather B. - All Glocks Down
13. Lost Boyz - Lifestyles Of The Rich And Shameless

Download

Shout Outs to Serch4beatz, & Verge!
Cover Done By Dirt_Dog

Rambo - Like That (Demo) Produced By Ski


Bonus:
Are you interested in learning how to draw a DJ Premier Logo? Check out this instructional guide done by dirt_dog. PDF

In case you missed any thunderstorm volumes, click here to get all of them.

-- Thomas V

Gang Starr “Transmusicales, Rennes, France (2003)”

Here's one just for fun. It's Gang Starr on their Ownerz Tour making a stop at the Transmusicales Festival in 2003 (tagged as 12-05-2003). I have a feeling that this 24 minute performance was recorded straight from the radio as there are a few small voiceovers, but doesn't interfere and the quality is superb (although there is some slight static noise at the beginning of track 9). Here's a link to some really nice pictures from the set. And I threw together a quick cover for those (like me) that have to have an image when listening to any audio on their iPod.

Download

enjoy,

-- dirt_dog

Gang Starr - Non-Album Tracks Volume 7

Here is the final installment of the Gang Starr Non-Album Tracks Series. What we have here is a phenomenal soundboard recording from a '98 show that they did in Amsterdam. As far as I know, Gang Starr doesn't have any other live bootlegs in circulation, which is a god damn shame. Grateful Dead got like 20,000 of 'em, but we only get one from a legendary hip hop act like Gang Starr? What a crock of shit, huh? Anyway, enjoy the concert, and make sure to check for all of the previous volumes.

Gang Starr - Non-Album Tracks Volume 7
1. DJ Premier In Deep Concentration
2. Manifest
3. No More Mr. Nice Guy
4. Code Of The Streets
5. Code Of The Streets (Continued)
6. Work
7. Royalty
8. Above The Clouds
9. The Militia
10. Crush
11. F.A.L.A.
12. Just To Get A Rep
13. Take It Personal
14. Dwyck
http://www.mediafire.com/?fzfqoddf1jm

Preview:

DJ Premier In Deep Concentration


Manifest


No More Mr. Nice Guy


--Roy Johnson