Sweet 16's

Satchel Page teams up with Legends: Neek The Exotic, Mikey D, Sadat X, & Large Professor. Produced by Ayatollah

-- Thomas V

DJ KID GREBO PRESENTS...PAUL C. LIVES VOL. 2 FEAT. PRINCE PO

DJ KID GREBO PRESENTS...PAUL C. LIVES VOL. 2

FEAT. PRINCE PO (of Organized Konfusion)

01. Intro
02. M.C. Outloud- I'll Put A Hurten'
03. Phase & Rhythm- Hyperactive
04. Eric B & Rakim - Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em
05. Ultramagnetic MC's- A Chorus Line
06. M.C. Tatiana- Mission To Rock (Scratches done by Paul C!)
07. G. Dane - Coolest Of The Cool
08. Phase & Rhythm- Brainfood
09. Sport G & Mastermind- live
10. Marauder & The Fury- Get Loose Mother Goose
11. Two Shades Of Black- Surrender
12. Super Lover Cee & Casanova Rud-Do The James
13. Main Source- Think
14. Queen Latifah & The 45 King- A King And Queen Creation
15. Stezo- Girl Trouble
16. Disco Twins & Star Child- There It Is
17. Grand Master Caz- Casanova's Rap
18. The Rangers- Jacks On Crack
19. Double Dose- Envious
20. Interlude
21. The Heartbeat Brothers- Bring In The Bassline
22. Mic Profesah- Cry For Freedom
23. Double Delight & DJ Slice Nice- Party Jump
24. Rappers On A Mission- S.O.L.O.
25. Princess Ivori- CrackPipe (changed it all)
26. Ultimate Choice- You Can't Front (We Will Rock you)
27. Live N Effect Posse- I'm Getting Physical
28. Outro

Download Mix

Props to DJ Kid Grebo for continuing to keep Paul's music alive with these dope mixes.

Check out these Paul C. related posts

The Mandolindley Road Show (Paul C. McKasty)
Paul C. Lives

S.O.U.L. Samples

S.O.U.L. is an obscure early 70s funk group that released some of the absolute dopest tracks from that era. They recorded two albums in between the years of 1971 and 1973: "What Is It" and "Can You Feel It". From what I can gather, they disbanded shortly after the release of their second album, so unfortunately, their entire catalog contains less than 20 tracks. Producers that have sampled S.O.U.L. include Pete Rock, Marley Marl, The Large Professor, The Jungle Brothers, MF Doom, etc.

S.O.U.L. - Samples
1. S.O.U.L. - Burning Spear
2. Organized Konfusion - Releasing Hypnotical Gases
3. Pete Rock & CL Smooth - Go With The Flow
4. S.O.U.L. - Soul
5. Slick Rick - A Letter
6. Jungle Brothers - In Dayz 2 Come
7. Main Source - Fakin' The Funk
8. S.O.U.L. - Piece Of Mind
9. Craig G - What You're Used To
10. Main Source - Peace Is Not The Word To Play
11. S.O.U.L. - Message From A Black Man
12. MF Doom - Sarsaparilla (Instrumental)
http://www.mediafire.com/?ztt5nmzzj31

Preview:

S.O.U.L. - Burning Spear


S.O.U.L. - Soul


S.O.U.L. - Piece Of Mind


S.O.U.L. - Message From A Black Man


--Roy Johnson

DJ Mighty Mi - Large Professor Megamix (45:41)

DJ Mighty Mi (The High & Mighty) - Large Professor Megamix (45:41) (2003)

1 Kool G Rap & D.J. Polo - Bad To The Bone (Radio Remix)
2 Jaz, The - Hypocritters
3 Main Source - Peace Is Not The Word To Play
4 Nas - Rewind
5 Mad Skillz - Extra Abstract Skillz
Featuring - Large Professor , Q-Tip
6 Organized Konfusion - Stress (Remix)
7 Slick Rick - It's A Boy (Remix)
8 Gang Starr - Gotta Get Over (Takin Loot) (Remix)
9 Tragedy - Da Funk Mode
10 Kool G Rap & D.J. Polo - Money In The Bank
Featuring - Large Professor
11 Common - Resurrection / Resurrection '95
12 Nas - It Ain't Hard To Tell (Remix)
13 Main Source - Atom
14 Roxanne Shanté - Brothers Ain't Shit
15 Apache - Hey Girl
16 Kool G Rap & D.J. Polo - Wanted Dead Or Alive
17 Akinyele - No Exit

Download

Mixed using ORIGINAL VINYL!!! Don't Believe Me? Ask Shaun D.

-- Thomas V

Neek The Exotic - Non-Album Tracks (1992-1999)

Between the years of 1992 and 1999, Neek The Exotic ripped pretty much all of his verses to shreds. Here's a compilation that I put together with all of his known recordings from that time period. I'd like to know what he was doing in between the years of 1994 and 1997, as there is nothing listed in his discogs profile. Also, he is credited w/ the second verse on the Large Professor track "Spacey", but as far as my ears can tell, that ain't Neek.



Neek The Exotic - Non-Album Tracks (1992-1999)

1. Fakin' The Funk w/ Main Source

2. Fakin' The Funk w/ Main Source (Yo! MTV Raps)

3. Pee-Nile Reunion Verse (Acapella)

4. Pee-Nile Reunion Verse

5. Rip 'Em Flip 'Em

6. Exotic Is Raw

7. Rock The Mic

8. Real Hip Hop

9. Backs N Necks

10. Muthafuckin' Man

11. Hardcore w/ Large Professor

12. Rhymemania 99 w/ Large Professor

13. Pump Ya Fist

14. Everything's Real

15. Fakin' The Funk w/ Main Source (Slight Remix)

http://www.mediafire.com/?tmg2yzdnfmj



Preview:



Fakin' The Funk (Yo! MTV Raps)





Pee-Nile Reunion (Verse)





Rip 'Em Flip 'Em





Exotic Is Raw





Real Hip Hop





--Roy Johnson

Tri-Pack Wafer: Three Times Dope, Main Source, Gang Starr

"I hope one of his peoples could hook him up with a tri-pack/ That's three different flavors/ Chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry wafers" -- MF Doom, "Kookies"

Three Times Dope "Increase The Peace" from Original Stylin'

Main Source "Peace Is Not The Word To Play" from Breaking Atoms

Gang Starr "Soliloquy Of Chaos" from Daily Operation

Download All Three Tracks + 2 Bonuses ("Peace Is Not The Word to Play" Video Remix, S.O.U.L.  "Peace Of Mind")

Call me cynical, but a plea for peace  in the form of a rap song sounds wiser and more sincere when coming from an individual. "Self-Destruction" has a slamming beat and "We're All In The Same Gang" is, err, well-intended, but the "We Are The World" vibe of both cuts leaves me cold. Crowded in-your-face issue songs age poorly, and feel heavy-handed, simplistic, and maudlin in retrospect. The fleeting, pedantic verses and sloganeering choruses are better fitted for unintentionally hilarious PSAs destined for YouTube cult status.

I loather to wander into the eternal debate over whether or not artists should feel obligated to indulge in proscriptive propaganda. However, I find myself drawn to songs that describe the nearly unintelligible sense of helplessness when one lives in fear of getting got. I can recount dozens that accurately depict the frustration attached to living righteously in a degenerate milieu. The best ones comment further on the unfounded but understandable sense of superiority one feels when examining the life decisions made by those embroiled in the street life.

Such efforts feel appreciably human, and their messengers seem that much more likable. Rapped responses to social disorder are typically unsatisfying as policy recommendations but supremely superb as songs. Few citizens are equipped to dole out nightly vigilante justice or work proactively to alleviate the root causes of crime. It is thus refreshing to know that my favorite musical genre rarely shies away from engaging current events in explicit but creative ways. Critics of rap who remain horrified at the genre's fixation on violence routinely fail to share my appreciation, but that's another discussion for another time.

Main Source's "Peace Is Not The Word To Play" is every bit an intellectual exercise as any rap song revered by the literati. The bespectacled rapping producer Large Professor flips not only the music of his sample source but also the theme of said record. He engages in virtuosic observational wordplay, invoking multiple uses of the word and its homophones at every turn. But the song's brainy approach does not distract from its core of torment. Large Pro decries the reduction of the peace sign and greeting to a ubiquitous yet morbidly ironic reminder that the post-D.A.I.S.Y. times are fucked the fucked up. His exasperation at man's indecency and hypocrisy is tangible.

EST of Three Times Dope is similarly bewildered by the situation in his native Philadelphia, which in the late '80s and early '90s boasted a murder rate three times as high as New York City. The self-proclaimed "greatest man alive" is decidedly less avuncular than Large Pro, opting to speak to his audience more as a streetwise everyman than a neighborhood activist. His instructions are simple: sit back and soak in his pragmatic yet flavorful message of brotherhood. It's hard to take issue with his reasoning. The song's laid back vibe can win you over, as if designed to tranquilize, and the choice to sample two slain peace lovers (Marvin Gaye and Martin Luther King, Jr.) is mighty clever.

Guru never eschews soapbox speechifying, but "Soliloquy of Chaos" is a change of pace nonetheless. His commentary focuses narrowly on the type of violence that erupts at rap shows. He expresses concern and outrage without breaking character or resorting to a reactionary anti-youth pose. Much like EST, he appeals to common sense and shared values to champion peaceful living, suggesting that violence only succeeds in ruining a good time. Like Large Pro, he registers just enough disgust at knuckleheads to seem authoritative, and one is inclined to take his plea seriously. While I doubt that these songs actually stop career hoodlums from mixing it up, they remain relevant to those of us who have no choice but to navigate our living spaces with caution and restraint while the usually suspected unseen forces and trends do what they do. 

And they're really, really dope.  -- Thun

Related Posts:

All You See Is ... Crime In The City

An Infamous Genealogy, Pt. 1

Main Source "Snake Eyes"

Main Source "Just A Friendly Game Of Baseball"

A Tribe Called Quest "Midnight"

Mobb Deep "Peer Pressure" (Large Professor Remix)

Mobb Deep’s musical genealogy is a crucial guide to comprehending and appreciating their masterful sophomore LP, The Infamous. The album is one of hip hop’s bastard children: it is typically evaluated in isolation from its forbearers. Like so many so-called “gangsta” rappers, the group’s lyrics have been read as literal autobiographical exposés and unthinking advocacies of merciless criminal activity. Don’t believe the hype. In reducing Mobb's rhymes to caricaturish doggerel, while presuming dark soundscapes  to signify anger and nothing else, critics underestimate the duo's musical and poetic aptitude, and their willingness to incorporate influences from outside of their immediate frames of reference.

Havoc and Prodigy make extensive use of poetic stylization. Their take on reality is comprised of an unlikely yet compelling admixture of cartoonish violent escapism, detached reportage, bleak apocalyptic lamentation, and (occasionally) serene reflection. Their economical, blustery rhymes resound over menacing tracks. The notion that this style arose spontaneously from the oblivion of primitive rage is misguided. To disprove it, one must simply take note of the accelerated artistic growth that undoubtedly occurred in the years after the release of their forgettable debut, Juvenile Hell.

Mobb Deep grew into their sound, with help. The Infamous exceeds the sum of an exaggerated Queensbridge upbringing by virtue of its pedigree alone. The mentorship of Large Professor and Q-Tip (hailing from the far flung corners of the Q-borough in the respective sections of Flushing and Jamaica) gives rise to Mobb Deep's superior sophomore reincarnation. The family tree provides ample evidence. Q-Tip and Large Pro are bonded by their work on Illmatic, the debut album of Queensbridge rap prodigy, Nas. Prior to that, Large Pro contributed counsel and work behind the boards (acknowledged in shout-outs, liner notes, and interviews) to A Tribe Called Quest's third album, the nearly universally acclaimed Midnight Marauders. 

In fact, as a bonafide student-teacher who came up in the studio under the tutelage of the legendary Paul C. McKasty, Large Pro’s reputation as a mentor to up and coming Queens artists was already solidified by the time he added his touches to Marauders. It can be accurately stated that Large Pro mentored Q-Tip in the art of mentorship. A godfather of sorts to a second wave of Queens-based artists that were raised on Run DMC and the Juice Crew, Large Pro convened “Live At The BBQ,” the famous posse cut from Main Source’s debut Breaking Atoms that features the world premieres of Nas and Akinyele. 

Large Pro continued to nurture budding talent throughout the '90s, and in fact his involvement with Mobb Deep actually predates his work with A Tribe Called Quest. He remixed “Peer Pressure” from their maligned debut, as well as “Funk Mode,” a 1993 song by Tragedy the Intelligent Hoodlum (now widely acknowledged to be an influence on Nas, as well as an early mentor to Capone N’ Noreaga) that features a verse from Havoc. Although never given an official name like the Native Tongues, this extended family of Queens-based hip hop artists ritually transmitted professional and musical expertise from one generation to the next. 

In addition to advice about the biz or pointers on production, the elders provided the up and comers with a sophisticated approach to penning suggestive, creative lyrics that augment the chilly moodiness that emanates from so much sample-laden hip hop music. Many of the themes covered on Infamous and later Mobb albums—including literal and figurative warfare, emotional and physical suffering, and artistic and racial double-consciousness—are also famously tackled throughout the discographies of Tribe and Main Source. 

On “Midnight,” where Q-Tip’s employment of differing perspectives within a single song and use of bassy, menacing samples anticipates Mobb Deep’s shifting commentaries on the street life and their famously dark sound. Mobb Deep’s penchant for coldly ironic allegory is reminiscent of Large Pro’s cautionary depiction of life as a sky-high stakes game of cee-lo on “Snake Eyes.” In the anti-cop “Just a Friendly Game of Baseball,” Large Pro delivers his extended metaphor with stoic clarity over a devastating break that also appears on Tribe’s “If the Papes Come” remix from the same year. These characters will reappear later on The Infamous as potentially deadly forces that must be undermined and avoided.

TO BE CONTINUED

In future installments, I'll examine the "demo" or "rough draft" recordings Mobb Deep made prior to the release of  Infamous,  examine Q-Tip's involvement in recording process,  and chart their evolution  into a group whose signature sound and world view represents an innovative departure from its primary influences. -- Thun

Main Source - Lost Science

Main Source demos that were originally recorded for their unreleased 2nd album "The Science." It was released about 2 months ago as a limited pressing by Diggers With Gratitude. The demos were given to DWG by K-Cut as he originally played them on a Canadian radio show which you can find here.

Here's information on the tracks:

"Bootlegging" - Large Pro takes on the role of the bootlegger on this lost gem, check the horns, this one features on "Lungbutters".

"Raise Up" - "The Science" was going to be constructed of a bunch of 'Interlude' style tracks - this is one of them.

"Time (alternative mix)" - early demo version of the track recently unearthed for a Japanese only release on P-Vine/Actual Records.

Download

Note: The Lost Science EP didn't hit the blogsphere yet so you will probably see it on a few blogs within a few hours. If they don't give us credit, they probably jacked our link, but we can only take that as a form of flattery, right?

This is also my first vinyl rip so be on the look out for a few rarities in the future.

-- Thomas V

Nas meets The Large Professor

Do you remember the Nas "I Am" blends that we posted weeks ago? Well, T.R.O.Y. regular Vaporized just recorded a new Nas blend tape. This time, he mixed Nas's acapellas over beats from The Large Professor. It was a perfect match as Nas started his career on Main Source's debut Breaking Atoms. The last time they collaborated together was on "Stillmatic" so it was nice to hear Nas over new sh*t from The LP.

I'd love to see an album by Nas fully produced by Large Pro. While it may not happen, you can listen to Vaporized's incredible blends in the meantime.

01 - Nas - You Know My Style - (Large Pro blend)
02 - Nas - I Can...(Large Pro blend)
03 - Nas - Nastradamus (Large Pro blend)
04 - Nas - Mastermind (Large Pro blend)
05 - Nas - The Set Up (Large Pro blend)
06 - Nas ft.AZ - The Flyest (Large Pro blend)
07 - Nas - The World Is Yours (Large Pro blend)
08 - Nas - Purple (Large Pro blend)
09 - Nas - Made You Look (Large Pro blend)
10 - Nas - Got Urself A Gun (Large Pro blend)
11 - Nas ft.AZ - Life's A Bitch (Large Pro blend)
12 - Nas - If I Ruled The World (Large Pro blend)
13 - Nas - Shootouts (Large Pro blend)
14 - Nas - Dance (Large Pro blend)

Download

-- Thomas V

Bonus : Large Pro recently appeared as a surprise guest for Nas's latest concert in New York.

Main Source Interviews w/trivia

Large Professor

K-Cut


In 1991, Main Source released their debut album "Breaking Atoms". It's consider one of the greatest hip-hop album of all time. Main Source consisted of Large Professor, K-Cut, and Sir Scratch. "Breaking Atoms" is known for tracks like "Just Hangin' Out", "Looking at the Front Door", "Just a Friendly Game of Baseball", and "Live at the Barbecue" which is Nas' first appearance on a hip-hop record. Large Pro left the group in 1992 because of business differences.

Large Professor was recently interviewed on Rosenberg Radio. He talked about a lot of things like production, artists he worked with, Main Source... It was great to hear what he had to say.

K-Cut was interviewed a few days ago on The Real Frequency (Toronto radio). The interview was full of trivia. For example, he said that "Snake Eyes" was directed at Eric B after Large Pro didn't receive any money for the work he did on the "Let the Rhythm Hit Em". He also played unreleased tracks that were supposed to be on their second album "The Science". No more spoilers... enjoy the interviews.

--Thomas V

"All You Wack Emcees, You're Fakin' the Funk!"

Fakin' the Funk by Main Source has to be one of my favorite track of all time. Large Pro and Neek The Exotic went crazy on the track!! But nothing is better than the live performance they did on Yo MTV Raps! Even Ed Lover went and started to diss all the wack mc's from that time. He disses Young MC, Gerrardo, and Vanilla Ice while Large Pro gives shoutouts to Kool G Rap, and Akinyele + Doctor Dre shouts Pete Rock & Cl Smooth. It's definately the best live performance I've ever seen.

Download this here

Also don't forget to peep the New Large Pro "Main Source". Go Buy It!! Real Hip Hop

--Thomas V

Wild Pitch Blends

Wild Pitch Records: exemplified Industry Rule # 4080, but you cannot front on their output. Click on the cassette cover to download. Props to the ironically named serch4beatz for the rip. We're off to better things... -- Thun

YouTubin' Part 2

Again we pay homage to some of our favorite videos provided by Dan from VintageHipHopSeattle.

Main Source - Just Hangin' Out


Double XX Posse - Money Talks


Kurious - Uptown Hit


Ultra (Kool Keith & Tim Dog) - Big Time


Mad Skillz - The Nod Factor


Casual - Me-O-Mi-O


Cash Money Click - 4 My Click


The B.U.M.S. - Elevation (Free My Mind)


Big Mike - Havin' Thangs feat. Pimp C


Ultramagnetic MC's - Two Brothers With Checks (San Francisco Harvey)

Tony D - The Indy Years Vol. 1-2

Vol 1.

01. Cutmaster - Backbone Breaker
02. Sport G & Mastermind - Live
03. TL from Tuff Crew - Back To Yell
04. Justice Born - The Great Creator
05. Shadasious - Put My Thing Down
06. Suicide Posse - My Science Is Deep
07. Ron B - Stitch By Stitch
08. Live N Direct - Rock Bassline
09. D.B.A. - D.B.A. In Effect
10. Courageous Chief - Slam Bam
11. Shakespeare & The Last Empire - My Old Jams Still Slam
12. Loose J & The Master Of Wax - Hi-Lo
13. Nikki Rap N Scratch - Now You Know
14. The Rangers - I'm Hot
15. Mr. Melody - Funk Motor
16. Izzy Ice - Freestyle
17. 25 Ta Life - Gimmie Dat
18. MC Mike D & DJ Mazey Maze - Funky Stuff
19. Too Def Connection - Running With The Lyrics
20. T.Y.B. - Show 'Em How It's Done
21. Sir Fresh & DJ Critical - Sir-Vere
22. 360 Degrees - Pelon
23. Butchy B - Freaks Are Wild
24. Witchdoctor - Takin No Shorts
25. T.A.P. - We Want The Funk
26. Reel Deal - Drippin Dope
27. 3 The Hardway - Stupid Hype

http://www.zshare.net/download/19791670d59ba4a8/

01. [Intro]
02. Finsta - Payday Is Bliss
03. Legion Of Doom - Live Bait
04. V.I.C.E. - Talk That Talk
05. T.D.S. Mob - T.D.S. Scratch Reaction
06. Unique - Pure Dynamite
07. Deuces Wild - Five Times The Rhymer
08. Divine Force - My Uptown Beat
09. Kev-E-Kev - Listen To The Man
10. DJ Duquan & The Wonderluv Dan - Let The Music Play
11. Main Source - Think
12. [DJ Lord Jazz Interlude]
13. Too Def Connection - Take A Fall
14. 360 Pelon - Years To Build
15. Velore & Double-O - We're Gonna Get'Em (Rock The Beat)
16. Prince Eze & Big Fran to the 3rd - Time To Get Funky!
17. Phill Most Chill - On Tempo Jack
18. Kickin' Live Posse - Bad Boy
19. Raw Corp. - I'm Real Def
20. Peter Gunn Diamond & Mr. Itill - My Mic & My Handle
21. Willie Feaster & The Mighty Magnificents - Take A Lesson
22. MC Paradise - Go For What You Know
23. [Outro]

http://www.sendspace.com/file/7wqndz

If you want to cop the OG's from Tony himself hit him up at http://theindyyearscd.freewebspace.com/ or http://www.myspace.com/prttonyd



Trenton's finest producer along with Q-Tip and DJ Red Alert in '89.




Peace to William Buckley and Ho1ogramz for assist.

--Philaflava