Mainstream Withdrawal

Update

2009-09-07T21:26:00.007-04:00

It's been a while since I last posted. In short, I got a job.
I was at a BBQ today with a few friends and they got me thinking about MainstreamWithdrawal.

A lot has gone down in the Hip-Hop world since I last posted. I'm gonna start with an update of some stuff I have come across, then I'm going to finish up my Redman collection and Saigon collection. Keep an eye out for an upcoming Gravediggaz post.

There is a Blog called T.R.O.Y. and it's a great source of obscure Hip-Hop. They have been really doing an awesome job with Ras Kass. Here is some of the material. Keep in mind I do not claim this to be my own and would like everyone to visit T.R.O.Y.
Ras Kass - Non Album Tracks Vol.1
Ras Kass - Non Album Tracks Vol.2
Ras Kass - Non Album Tracks Vol.3
Ras Kass - Wont Catch Me Runnin (Various Versions)

As You all probably know The Slaughterhouse album finally came out. It's got Crooked and Royce what else does some one need to know.
Slaughterhouse - Slaughterhouse

Fresh on the heels of Slaughterhouse album was a short mixed tape of some Crooked I tracks. Nothing monumental, but there are a few really dope tracks.
Crooked I - Westside Slaughterhouse (Mixed by September 7th & Julian Ramirez)

M.O.P. came out with their new album Foundation. I Have only listened to the first few tracks and I am thoroughly impressed! Get this, trust me you will not be disappointed (well at least not with the first few tracks).
M.O.P. - Foundation

Keep reading
Leave comments
Enjoy

Kool G Rap

2009-07-20T23:27:00.003-04:00

I don't really feel like taking the time to write a review of "Mr. G Rap". All I will say is that he is an icon and a strong representative of Hip-Hop. He has been rapping for a really long time.

I must apologize for this not being a complete discography. there are vinyl singles that are missing and probably a CD or two.

Keep checking in on on the blog as I got a really good Redman post coming up as well as some Saigon and Gravediggaz.

Kool G Rap

Update

2009-07-19T01:30:00.006-04:00

M.O.P. - Underground Legends Vol.1 (Presented By J-Love)
M.O.P. - Underground Legends Vol.2 (Presented By J-Love)

Saukrates - Caught Up In Canada (Compiled by WillyDuWitt.blogspot.com)

Rise

2009-07-18T22:57:00.007-04:00

I must start by saying that getting a picture of this dude is not easy. He has a facebook and myspace account, is listed in discogs and other music sites, but I have only been able to find a few pictures of him. I couldn't find a pic of him off his album that I bought from sandboxautomatic. In fact that album is no longer on Sandbox!!! (on a side note, Sandbox sucks since it stopped selling vinyl)

Rise is a MUST HEAR MC. I will say that he is definitely not for everyone. He has a somewhat high pitched voice (like Q-Tip's but less nasally). His lyrics go "over the heads" of the average listener. If you download this, at the least, listen to the song "The Wickedest Flow". Even if you think he sucks it will be undeniable that his lyricism is very creative. When I say creative I don't mean weird-not-only-sounds-bad-but-doesn't-even-make-sense (aka Aesop Rock). Creative more in the way of originality of metaphors and rhyme schemes.

Rise

Masta Ace

2009-07-18T19:08:00.005-04:00

If you've never heard of Masta Ace you probably haven't been listening to Hip-Hop long. MA has officially been on the scene since 1988. MA first hooked up with Hip-Hop legend Marley Marl.
MA is one of the most potent lyricists from the "old school", and has had an unquestionable influence on Hip-Hop MCs (past and present). Eminem and other MCs have referenced MA's influence.
One thing I have noticed about MA is that he seems bitter that he has been overlooked for most his career while MCs of lesser skill get signed to major labels. I know talking trash is part of Hip-Hop and all that, but it really does seem like MA has a chip on his shoulder. I wonder if MA and Mad Skillz ever made a track together. They seem more or less "cut from the same cloth".

There is so much that could be written about MA which I don't really feel like writing about. I really suggest doing some research on him.....but if not jsut download this stuff on good faith that you're about to listen to one of the greats.

Masta Ace

Slaughter House

2009-07-12T22:00:00.005-04:00

I kept hearing about Slaughter House for a while and finally checked them out a few weeks ago.
It is nice to see a real Hip-Hop power group emerge. The reality is that any group who has Crooked I and Royce in it is gonna be fire. Honestly I could care less for Joe Budden and Joell Ortiz. I don't know much about the history of Joell Ortiz but I seriously doubt he can hold his own lyrically in a group like this. As for Joe budden...well I don't really see how he fits in the group at all.

I consider Slaughter House a front-line leader group for real Hip-Hop.

Slaughter House

Prime

2009-07-12T17:48:00.008-04:00

I've been listening to Prime for a few years. What sparked my interest in him was the song on the first Lyricist Lounge album "No Matter". Prime seems undiscovered to a greater extent which is a shame. He is a very talented MC and a vicious battle rapper. From what I understand battle rapping is actually how he got his career started. I am always interested in artists who have have gone through some difficult life trials. I'm not talking about the whole "I grew up in the ghetto and have been shot (or shot at) many times". Prime's struggle (to my understanding) has been depression. Now I know that depression isn't "Hardcore" but I think that it is one of the less glorious, though often experienced, part of many peoples lives. I like the way that Prime's view is expressed though his music, it steps outside of the "this is underground Hip-Hop" label with out sounding too far out there.

Enjoy

Prime

Update

2009-07-12T01:30:00.006-04:00

Big L Feat Shyheim - I Know My Name (VLS)

M.O.P. (The Marxmen) - Marxmen Cinema CD 1
M.O.P. (The Marxmen) - Marxmen Cinema CD 2
M.O.P - Cold As Ice (CDS)
M.O.P. - Ghetto Warfare

Tash - The Game (VLS)

Xzibit - You Better Believe It!
Xzibit - Ride And Smoke (VLS)
Xzibit - It's...HOM! bw Xzibit ft. Everlast Shroomz Pt. II
Xzibit - Concentrate (VLS)
Xzibit - What U See Is What You Get bw 3 Card Molly (VLS)
Xzibit - The Foundation (VLS)
Xzibit - 25 to Life (VLS)
Xzibit - Hey Now (Mean Muggin) (CDS)
Xzibit - Muthafucka (VLS)
Xzibit - Rollin Bw Black And Brown (CDM)
Xzibit - Losin Your Mind (VLS)
Xzibit - Full Circle (Bonus CD)

Lyricist Lounge

2009-07-09T02:01:00.011-04:00

"The Lyricist Lounge is a Hip-Hop showcase of rappers, emcees, DJ's, and Graffiti artists.
It has spawned the album Lyricist Lounge, Volume One, Lyricist Lounge 2 and Lyricist Lounge: West Coast, as well as a television show, The Lyricist Lounge Show.
The Lyricist Lounge was founded in 1991 by Hip-Hop aficionados Danny Castro and Anthony Marshall. It was a series of open mic events hosted in a small studio apartment in the Lower East Side section of New York City." (Wikipedia)

I haven't got much more to add to Wikipedia's summery of Lyricist Lounge is. One thing it does fail to mention is the MCs featured on the the compilations. In short, some of the dopest MCs out there are on one of the Lounges:
Wordsworth, Cipher Complete, De La Soul, O.C., Big L, Ras Kass, Punchline, Pharoahe Monch, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Saukrates, Redman, Dead Prez, Prime, Rise, M.O.P., Tash, etc

These are awesome albums. I really encourage listening to Volume 1. It has classics that have forever stayed in my mind and have definitely become a benchmark for what is considered real Hip-Hop.

Lyricist Lounge

Update

2009-07-06T16:06:00.005-04:00

Here are a handful of updates:

Afu-Ra - Sitck & Hip-Hop (VLS)
Afu-Ra - Why Cry (CDS)
Afu-Ra - Dangerous Language (VLS)
Afu-Ra -Scatman & Stick Up (VLS)
Afu-Ra - Open (CDS)
Afu-Ra - Life Force Radio (Bonus Disc)
Afu-Ra - I Love My Hip-Hop (VLS) (Test Pressing)
Afu-Ra - Defeat & Mortal Combat (VLS)
Afu-Ra - Poisonous Taoist & Sucka Free (VLS)

Big L - We Got This & The Heist (VLS)

Common - Far East Project Common Remix

D.I.T.C. - Get Yours & Where You At (VLS)

Pharoahe Monch - Body Baby (CDS) (Remixes)

M.O.P.

2009-07-05T14:42:00.004-04:00

M.O.P. is hands down the most rowdy and energetic rap group I have ever heard. almost every song their rhymes are just below the noise level of what I would consider yelling. They also have the most gangsta, violent, lyrics of any crew that I listen too. (f you didn't know M.O.P. stands for "Mash Out Posse").

A lot of M.O.P.'s beats were produced by DJ Premier which gives M.O.P. a very authentic Hip-Hop sound. Actually if it weren't for DJ Premier's beats I doubt I would listen to much M.O.P. at all.

To my knowledge M.O.P. biggest hit was the song "Anti-Up". It's not hard to see why, the beat is ridiculously awesome. It has become a classic. I am ongoing impressed on M.O.P.'s ability to create now ways of saying how badly they will kill anyone they don't like. It is very fun to listen to.

I hope you enjoy:

M.O.P.

Tash

2009-07-04T18:20:00.010-04:00

For those who know him it will be no mystery as to why he got a post of his own. Tash is one of the most talented lyricists in the Business. He has one of the best slapstick flows ever.

"I hit you with the force / to knock your ship off course
If this funk don't move your wife / you better file for divorce"

That is a small small sample of the kind of punchlines he has.

Tash has this ability to start rhyming over a beat where it is not common to do so. He'll start rhyming before the beginning of the next measure. I don't know how else to explain it.

I watch UFC a lot and recently a fighter named Lyoto Machida has made a big impact on the sport. The most unique quality of Machuda is that he has a very unorthodox style. This is very much the same with Tash. His rap style conforms to accommodate the genre of Hip-Hop he is in, but he stands out from other MCs.

When I first heard Tash when I began listening to Tha Alkaholiks. At thetime I thought J-Ro was the better MC out of the group. However a few years ago, when I listened to Tash's solo album (Rap Life) I had a change of heart. I definitely regard Tash as the lead MC of the Alkaholiks. Honestly, I feel Tash out classes the rest of the Alkaholiks with hia Mic skills. Tash is on a whole other level of rhymes than most MCs.

I have been looking forward to Tash's new album "Control Freak" for a really long time. I thought it was going to come out last year in February. Obviously this was not the case as it was release late June of this year. I must admit I was disappointing with his new album. I'm not a huge fan of the beats (which seem to be progressively more "Hyphy"). The old beats that King T did for the Alkaholiks were dope as hell! what happened!!!
I was also very disappointing by his lyrics on the new album. I really don't feel he he accurately represented his Mic skills. For some reason it seemed like he really held back. It could be that he wants to make money by selling more records, and lest face it, the masses don't waste time with real lyricism and prefer to listen to the same recycled rymes and scenarios. I think Dead Prez puts it best in their forever classic song "Hip-Hop":

I'm sick of that fake thug, r&b, rap scenario all day on the radio
Same scenes in the videos, monotonous material, yall dont here me though
These record labels slang our tapes like dope
You can be next in line, and signed, and still be writing rhymes and broke

On that note I present to you:

Tash

Afu-Ra

2009-07-01T10:55:00.004-04:00

I had been listening to Hip-Hop for a few years before I came across Afu. What I didn’t realize is that I had been hearing him for years. When I listened to the album Body of the Life Force I recognized so many beats that I loved it was ridicules. DJ Premier (He’ll have his own post very soon) is responsible for the majority of the dope beats Afu rhymes to. I gotta say that for me, Afu represents that mid to late 90’s Hip-Hop sound very well, which is strange as his first single Whirlwind Thru Cities was first released in 98 and his debut album Body of the Life Force was released in 2000. Even his latest album State of the Arts has some of that true 90’s Hip-Hop feel.

Word on the street is that he is working on an album now….We will see.

If you have listened to much Hip-Hop you have inevitably heard references to Afu knowing karate (the group that comes to mind right away is Dead Prez). Afu does infact know martial arts of some kind. I think it is kind of ironic that he is known for karate and I have seen several pictures of him smoking cigarettes. Not that this takes away from his credibility, just an interesting observation.Afu is also recognized as being spiritual which greatly interests me as I think that it's a missing component in the Hip-Hop community (I'm not talking about religion).

If you love Hip-Hop chances are that you will really like Afu-Ra. At the least you will recognize some very well known beats.

Afu-Ra

Kardinal Offishall

2009-06-29T23:26:00.003-04:00

I first heard Kardinal Offishall when my brother was visiting me in boarding school. I had been kept away from music that was “unapproved” (which basically meant all Hip-Hop) by the rules of the boarding school. In the car I remember my brother playing the track Bakardi Slang. At the time I thought that it was flashy, stupid, and one step below clubrap (his is actually pretty accurate of his most current music). There is another side to Kardinal that caught my attention. First his beats are pretty on point on the album Quest For Fire. The beats are by no means original, they’re just spruced up in terms of sound quality and “bump ability”. Check out his albums, they’re definitely worth a listen, and if you’re like me some of the songs will grow on you.

Kardinal Offishall

Update

2009-06-27T14:10:00.005-04:00

Crooked I - The Death Row Collection

FatBeats

2009-06-27T13:45:00.005-04:00

A few years ago, as a present for my brother, I got hum a compilation I hadn’t seen before. It was FatBeats Vol.3

I got it because the lineup of MC on the disc were awesome.
About 6 months ago I spent a night trying to track down all the FatBeats compilations. My search yielded nothing except the discovery that FatBeats appears to be either a record Label or a distributor.

Last week I was lucky enough to come across all three volumes!!!
I didn't feel like re-tagging the tracks so some of them are a little funky. But they have the right content and album art.

Enjoy

FatBeats

Underground Airplay

2009-06-27T13:37:00.003-04:00

I have to admit I have only listened to three of these tapes. What I have heard I like. Nothing great, but the tapes represent the true essence of underground Hip-Hop. I wish there really was an underground radio show that played real hip-hop where I live. Seems like the closest thing is Pandora or the Wake Up Show.

Be sure to listen to the Version One album (version NOT Volume). It had a dope track with pharoahe on it. This is also the album that introduced me to Young Zee (I'll be doing a post on him some time in the next month).

Underground Airplay

Update

2009-06-25T00:25:00.008-04:00

Big L - Flamboyant (VLS)
Big L - Put It On - Danger Zone (VLS)

Pharoahe Monch Collection Vol.7

Common - Common Collection Vol.8

Xzibit

2009-06-25T00:12:00.005-04:00

Ok, I fully expect to catch some shit for this post but I implore all who read this to give Xzibit a chance. I must admit there is no way to justify his last album "full circle". It sucked. I seem to remember my disbelief that there wasn’t one song that was good.
As far as "pimp my ride" goes....well there's no excuse for that either.

With all the crappy aspects of Xzibits career out of the way (well most of them) let's get down to what he started out as.
Anyone who doubts Xzibit's ability as an MC, I recommend listening to his first album "At the Speed of Life". This was the Xzibit I grew up on. This album is a westcoast classic. This whole album characterizes the true essence of mid 90s hip-hop. Grimy but well produced beats + some of the realist lyrics I have ever heard + a darker side of an up-and coming MC + great featured guests = At The Speed Of Life

Xzibit has had a bit of history with Tha Alkaholiks. They both were brought onto the scene by King T and were part of the Likwid Crew (also consisting of Phil Da Agony and Defari). Xzibit had a falling-out with J-RO an MC in Tha Alkaholiks, both of them made diss tracks but as far as I know things are better now.
Xzibit was also in a group called the Golden State Warriors (I think that’s the name) which consisted Xzibit, Rass Kas and Sapheir. Don't know that they released much material but I have to admit that is a dope line up.
Xzibit has continued, throughout his career, to work with Rass Kas.
Xzibit is now a part of the Strong Arm Steady Gang with Chase Infinite, Chrondon and another MC whose name escapes me.

Like I said, try and put aside any deserved prejudice that Xzibit may evoke with his mainstream BS, and give his first few albums a shot.

If anyone knows where I could get an Xzibit demo-tape I would forever be grateful.

Xzibit

Common

2009-06-15T08:58:00.006-04:00

***FIXED THE DL***

This is probably the biggest post I’ve made yet. I figured before I leave town (temporarily) I would go out with a bang (so to speak).

Common has been one my most followed Mcs. If you noticed, I said followed not favorite. Somehow Common has been a consistent factor in my ongoing Hip-Hop journey. It seems that there is no escaping the impact he has made. Don’t get me wrong, many of his songs are legendary and good.
One thing that can be said about Common is he seems to have really stayed true to himself though out his career. He has implemented his spiritual and moral life effectively into his music. I would not say that he one of those “positive MCs” (IE Will Smith, etc). His message is real and consistent.
It has been interesting to observe the evolution of Common, both personally and musically. I happen to buy a copy of the album “BE” which came with a bonus DVD. On the DVD it was a brief history of common given in his narrative, which focused on the changes that have happened to him as he continues to grow as a person and an MC. I will copy and upload that DVD sometime in the future.

I need to send out props to Rap Dungeon for hooking it up with lots of rare and hard to find tracks. As with the Pharoahe Monch post, I have edited the ID3 tags, but know that everything labeled “Collection” comes straight from Rap Dungeon.

This is the most complete Common discography/collection I have seen to date. I am missing many many vinyl singles. If anyone has any singles that I do not please let me know (dcptcon @ gmail dot com).

Enjoy

Common – Discography/Collection

Update

2009-06-15T00:12:00.003-04:00

Here are a couple of updates:

Big L - Platinum Plus (VLS)
Big L - MVP (VLS)

Pharoahe Monch - The Life (VLS)
Pharoahe Monch Collection Vol.7

Tha Akaholiks - Back Together Again (VLS)
Tha Alkoholiks - Got It Bad Yall (VLS)

On a side note, I’m leaving town to get married. I will keep posting as much as possible, but realistically I doubt that I’ll have much time for that. Everyone, please keep enjoying the site and keep spreading the word!

If anyone wants to make a request or wants to network (or whatever) hit me up at:
dcptcon @ gmail mail dot com

Update

2009-06-13T16:20:00.005-04:00

Here are handful up updates:

Big L - Ebonics (VLS)
Big L - Holdin It Down (VLS)

Crooked I - The B.O.S.S. Board Presents... After Inauguration

D.I.T.C. - Day One (VLS)
D.I.T.C. - Dignified Soldiers % Themes, Dreams & Schemes (VLS)
D.I.T.C. - Thick (Rockwilder Remix) (VLS)

Keith Murray - Get Lifted (VLS)
Keith Murray - Incredible (VLS)

Pharoahe Monch - Mayor (VLS)
Pharoahe Monch - Metal Thangz (VLS)
Pharoahe Monch Collection Vol.7

Saukrates - Father Time (VLS) v2

Tha Alkaholiks - Make Room (VLS)

The X-Ecutioners - Its Goin Down (VLS)

Sly Boogy

2009-06-13T00:23:00.008-04:00

This here has been a favorite of mine for quite a while. I can’t remember what exactly got on to Sly. Most likely it was the Wake Up Show, yes actually it was. When the Wake Up Show website was being hosted (or endorsed) by Sony they had a bunch of archived freestyles that we videotaped live during the show. Sly freestyled to the Clipse “Grindin” beat and then had a follow up freestyle to the Baby Black beat called “Soldierz” (which was produced by DJ Revolution).

What caught my attention about Sly most was his lyricism. I consider Sly a lyricist in two ways:
1. He provides great imagery with his rhymes
2. His flow is on point. His rhymes just slide together almost effortlessly.
3. The cadence of his flow. The patterns and rhyme schemes are second to none. Most of the time each rhyme he makes connects both rhythmically and fanatically with more than one word he previously used.

Maybe it seems I have over analyzed Sly’s rapping but I implore you to listen carefully and I’m pretty sure you’ll be able to tell what I mean.
Sly Boogy represents IE (like his cousin Dirty Birdy). Essentially he is from San Bernardino. I almost consider Sly as part of the New West Movement (think Crooked I). Though obviously he seems to me to be heavily influenced by the southern Cali culture, which is not so much a negative as it is an observation.

I personally feel that Sly has not gotten the attention that he deserves. If he was able to team up with Crooked I or someone who is on the “come-up” it could be the opportunity that needs to really launch his career.

Sly Boogy+DL

Pharoahe Monch

2009-06-11T23:58:00.005-04:00

Ah, I have been waiting a while to make this post. I have found more material recently that slowed me down.

I present to you: Pharoahe Monch

Before I go any further I must give credit where credit is due. Rap Dungeon was kind enough to give me his blessing to post an extensive collection of rare and hard to find tracks. I have edited the ID3 tags but let there be no mistake all the downloads labeled collection are from Rap Dungeon.

That being said, I must start by saying I didn’t really develop a taste for Pharoahe until 2003 or so. I had his first album “Internal Affairs” and was most familiar with the track “Simon Says”. There were other tracks that I liked but didn’t see anything special about him. What peaked my interest was a Clinton Sparks mixed tape called “The Awakening”. It was strictly Pharoahe, but something really caught my attention. The song “Push” is awesome! There were beats that I didn’t expect to hear Pharoahe rhyme over. This mixed tape got me wanting……no, obsessing, about his upcoming album “Desire”. Honestly “Desire” was good but not all I had hoped for.
Pharoahe has a delivery that I can only describe as soulful. His lyrics strike me as coming from the heart, and yet still remains dope , fluid, and insightful. Pharoahe can rhyme with the best of MCs and easily hold his own. I would not characterize him as a serious lyricist, but more of an MC who can turn meaningful lyrics into something that is enjoyable to listen to.

Pharoahe is was in a group called “Organized Konfusion”. This group consisted of Pharohe and Prince Po. Prince Po has had a few albums but I wasn’t really interested in them.

I could do much more of a writeup but I’ll let his music speak for itself. Chances are if you know how Pharoahe is this will be the post for you.

Pharoahe Monch+DL

Update

2009-06-11T23:33:00.003-04:00

I can’t believe that I have had the follow-through to actually make these updates.
There seems to be more material turning up on Saukrates than I knew about.

Saukrates - The Underground Tapes Vol.1 (VL)+DL
Saukrates - The Underground Tapes Vol.2 (VL)+DL
Saukrates - Father Time (VLS)+DL

Update

2009-06-10T02:16:00.003-04:00

Here’s another update:

First off we got the Alkoholiks
Tha Alkaholiks - Hip Hop Drunkies (VLS)+DL
Tha Alkaholiks - Likwidation (VLS)+DL

Next we have Keith Muarry
Keith Murray - The Most Beautifullest Thing In This World (VLS)+DL
Keith Murray - Candi Bar (VLS)+DL

Nothing too major but worth throwing out there.

I am really excited about the upcoming posts. I wanted to put them up tonight but I realized if I put up all my goodies right away I won’t have time to make more goodies.

Ras Kass

2009-06-09T08:44:00.006-04:00

My first major post geared towords one of my favorite MCs goes to Ras Kass.
I have been listening to his material for years. He was the first true lyricist I heard. At that point I didn’t know that there was anyone who could rap with such hidden meaning and intelligence. I have heard lyrics from a Ras song only to fully understand what he was saying years later when I gained more life experience and a bigger vocabulary.
It’s a funny thing about lyricists of this caliber. I have played him for many of my friends, pointing out the intricacies and meanings of his raps, only to get the reaction of “oh…yeah, that was cool”. I find this response unreasonable to what is being experienced. I get excited when I hear lyrics that really make me think. I don’t take the lyrics at face value, I follow the meaning to the very end.
For example:
“Anatomically designed to be solar, fuck the rap star
When I die I want niggas doin drive-by's with my ashes in the car”

Now follow the last part of the rhyme all the way through; so if Ras should happen to die he would preferred to be cremated, and because he is so gangster and does not want to be left out he would like his “niggas” to continue to do the regular stuff (doing drive-by’s) with him present. I get an image of Ras’s ashes in an urn in the back seat of a Cadillac while the driver and other accomplices are in the process of a “drive-by”).

Shit is funny.

Don’t sleep on this post; this is the most complete Ras Kass discography I have ever seen (though I can think o a handfull of singles that I am missing).

Be sure to check out the song "Hit me on My BlackBerry"

Ras Kass+DL

Update

2009-06-08T22:51:00.010-04:00

Here is the update I was talking about for Saukrates. It includes "Brick House" & "Northerns Finest". They Both have some awesome tracks, check'em out.

Brick House+DL

Northerns Finest+DL

Dirty Bird

2009-06-08T22:11:00.003-04:00

I've been listening to this MC for a long time. He represents the IE, Which is basically Southern California (around the San Bernardino area). I actually met Dirty Birdy at Zia Records in Tempe, Arizona. He was really friendly guy. I don’t know that many people recognized him in AZ.

I first heard Dirty Birdy on the Wake Up Show when he was in group called Black Spooks (there is a group called the Spooks but that is not what I’m talking about). The Black Spooks consisted of Dirty Birdy and his cousin Sly Boogy (who is one of my favorite MCs). The Black Spooks album never got released. I asked Dirty Birdy about the Black Spooks and he basically said that the material really wasn’t going to be released, which is unfortunate as they make an awesome team. The more I heard of Dirty Birdy the more I started to respect his mic skills. His freestyles are of the chart. He has a combination of dope lyricism and slapstick stories and verbal imagery. The best mathematical equation which would explain Dirty Birdy would be

“Mac Dre (minus the bay area repping)“+”Eminem (minus the paternal resentment)”+”sly Boogy (minus some thug)”= Dirty Bird

I can’t listen to Dirty Bird for too long straight, but his stuff is definitely worth checking out.

Dirty Birdy+DL

Only fell off a bit.......

2009-06-06T20:56:00.006-04:00

If you have followed this blog at all or just visited, you may have noticed I haven't posted anything in a bit. In short I just moved to Baltimore and haven't had time to do much other than figuring out what the hell I'm going to do for a job. My backround is actually in counceling and I figue there are a few people in "charm city" that may need some.

I have some stuff in the works (Common, Sly Boogy, Young Zee, Lyricist Lounge, Saukrates update, Saigon, Ras Kass, M.O.P., Redman, 50 Cent, Xzibit, Eric Sermon, EPMD, DEF Squad, Afu-Ra, DJ Premier, Nas, Pharoahe Monch)

I got some free time coming up very soon and getting new stuff up is a priority.

If you like the blog/downloads please recomend it to others who enjoy Hip-Hop

Saukrates

2009-05-27T19:54:00.014-04:00

****UPDATE****

I’ve been listening to this MC for a long time, and I wish I had more material by him. Saukrates has one of the best albums I have ever heard. "Lost Tapes" was given to me by a friend who only had a burned copy. I listened to it and couldn't believe all the different MCs that were fetured guests (Heltah Skeltah, Xzibit, Masta Ace, Pharoahe Monch, Common, O.C., Choclair). Yeah, you what I mean???

Saukrates is one of several MCs from Canada that has really earned my respect (there will be a pst on Kardinal Offishall's early work). For an MC from Canada he has managed to do a lot of work with a lot of stateside MCs. I have noticed that He has done a lot with Redman/Gilla House. I think that Saukrates's style really complements Redman's.
The thing about Saukrates is that he doesn't really standout as having MC skills. Don't get me wrong he can flow, it just doesn't seem like he has a whole lot that causes him to standout as an MC. I think that the my like for him is heavily influenced by the other MCs he makes tracks with.

Saukrates+DL

Excuses

2009-05-27T16:15:00.004-04:00

I know it's probably gone un-noticed, but I have not posted consistantly for a while. I have been driving from Arizona to Baltimore. In short I'm moving. I'm in St Louis right now. I've gotta say that St Louis has some of the most friendly people I have ever met.

I'm gonna try to figure out how to blog using my Blackberry. I have the touch-screen Blackberry and it really sucks to type on.

my appologies to all who have started to follow the blog (there may be one or two of you).
I accept my "fail". I have not given up, there is some good stuff on the way (I'm my own hypeman).

Tha Alkaholiks

2009-05-25T18:54:00.003-04:00

There are various different kinds of Hip-Hop that fall into the “west coast” genre. Tha Liks need a genre of its own. The Liks follow Hip-Hop trends and culture but stray from the movement enough to be noticed as something a little different.

I started listening to Tha Liks in about 98 or 97. I instantly fell in love with the album Likwidation. Almost every was dope. “Awww Shit” was my theme song for many a month. I think it’s ironic that the name of the group is Tha Alkaholiks. I did a whole lot of drinking to them…….a whole lot. I guess that was one of the main reasons me and my friends liked them so much, the Liks talked at length and in detail about exactly what we were doing, getting hammered.

At first my favorite MC from the group was J-Ro. Now I can say that without a doubt Tash is my favorite, and not just of the group. Tash is one of my overall favorite MCs. His rhymes are so intricate and fuuny. He makes rapping well seem easy. After a while it seemed obvious that Tash was on a different level than E-Swift or J-Ro. Tash has an album called “Rap Life”. It’s really, really good. I’m gonna need to do a post on Tash.

Check out tha Liks, my favorite album is Likwidation. The song “Kill’n it” is heat!

Tha Alkaholiks+DL

Sauce Money

2009-05-23T00:26:00.009-04:00

Sauce Money was the answer to a 10 year question I had. I should preface this story by saying that much of the Hip-Hop music I now listen to was spurred by what I liked on the Wakeup Show (I’m gonna write something on them soon). I kept hearing this beat that was arguably the best I had ever heard (at the time) when listening to the Wakeup Show. I heard Peter Gunz, Boot Camp Click, and Ahmad freestyle to this beat. Problem was I could not track down this beat no matter how hard I tried (and I did try). While reading some of the comments of a freestyle video on youtube I heard someone mention the fact that the beat from a song called “action” by Sauce Money. I freaked and look for the song with a vengeance. The Hip-Hop Gods rewarded me and I found the "Action" video. Still I was no closer to having the song the way I wanted it. I found the vinyl on ebay, ordered it to my friend in Chicago who then ripped it from vinyl to MP3 and emailed the tracks to me. I have that song now and I am happy. That was the last titleless beat that I have desperately wanted.

With all that being said, I have come to like Sauce Money. He is not usually the kind of MC that I like as he is very blatantly ghetto glorious. I know a lot of MC’s I like glorify the ghetto life and all that, but Sauce seems to be particularly enthralled with that lifestyle and makes no attempts to be anything but what he is. This can be a major turnoff for me. MCs that can’t relate to, or talk about, anything but how ghetto their life is can get quite boring. Sauce brings something more to the table though. He has a delivery and demeanor that makes him fun to listen to. There are some many of his songs that have caused me to laugh out loud while listening to them. Take this quote from the “Middle Finger U”

“I’m that nigga, one you can’t even crush
Type of cat shit in your crib and don’t even flush”

Now that is funny! I would say he might have been to Roc-A-Fella Records what Redman was to DEF Jam. Come to think of it, if Redman and Sauce did a track together…………
I haven’t heard much of anything from Sauce as of late. Once he fell off of Roc-A-Fella he seems to have been pretty low key (though I could totally be wrong). I really think it’s too bad that Sauce didn’t stay signed with Roc-A-Fella. I feel that Sauce would be one of the 90’s MCs who could make it in the world of Hip-Hop today. I think that his style was under-appreciated and a few years ahead of his time.

Here’s all I got on him. If anyone has any more please let me know!

Sauce Money+DL

Crooked I

2009-05-21T20:30:00.022-04:00

There was a toss-up in my mind as to who the next post should be about. Crooked I or Ras Kass. I’m a big fan of both and as far as lyricism in concerned they are top-notch. In fact, those two are in my top 5 favorite lyricists. I’ve decided to hold off on Ras Kass as I’m nearing a very complete discography which includes many singles not found on any of his albums. And for the many years that I’ve been listening to Ras I want to make sure his post does, who I believe to be an underrated and underappreciated MC justice. So with without further ado, I present to you Crooked I.

Crooked I's story with the music industry is quite extensive. I will do my best to summarize the points that I find most relevant.

Crooked I started his own record company at age 17 with a few other MC’s. A while later he got signed to DPG which was under Death Row at the time. Than DPG branched off from Death Row and went independent. Crooked I went on to be signed to Death Row as a solo artist. After a long while of his album not being released by Death Row Crooked moved on to form his own label Dynasty Entertainment. To me that brief summery is quite enough to understand that Crooked has been though some shit to get to where he is today.

I have found that Crooked’s approach to getting his work to the masses to be quite different than the normal trends of the industry. What I mean is that he has released several projects (albums/mixtapes ) on the internet for free download. He’s not the first to do this, but it’s a marketing approach that has not been used all that often (though that is changing). I can’t claim to know about the workings of the music industry. What I do see is that quite often is that pure talent gets shit on, overlooked or under appreciated. I would gladly buy Crooked’s Hip-Hop weekly collection (this is when he put a song out every week for 52 weeks straight). No exaggeration, I played Crooked’s Hip-Hop Weekly collection for 5 months straight and to this day consider it one of my favorite albums (if you can call it that). As for Crooked’s previous releases they were just so-so. The only reason I didn’t fully like them is a lot of his tracks feature other MC’s who could barely stand in the shadow of Crooked’s ability. It would be like forcing Michael Jordan to play basketball with a team of retarded farm animals. Finding MCs that have even an ounce of skill compared to Crooked I is going to be an ongoing struggle for him. I hope he doesn’t pull a Ras Kass by starting to dumb his lyrics down to meet the expectations of a modoern day rapper who wants radio airplay. I don’t know if Crooked I would even be able to do that (and for the sake of Hip-Hop I hope he can’t).
One of my favorite quotes from Crooked I is when he says “I’m a last of a dying breed”. He was referring to real MCs, and I couldn’t agree with him more. Seriously, name an airplay MC that Crooked couldn’t rap circles around. Don’t even try to come at me with this Lil Wayne’s got lyrics. I’ve heard Mr. Wayne rap and he doesn’t have an ounce of shit on Crooked. It gives me great pleasure to know that Crooked could devour these beloved airplay wanna be rappers with no trouble at all. I can’t even believe what people today allow to pass as good rap. Maddening, it’s God Damn Maddening. In this video Will Ferrell talks about taking crazy pills. This is exactly how I feel when it comes to most radio rap.

No more ranting, just check out Crooked I. I strongly recommend the Hip-Hop Weekly, it is a great show of Crooked’s versatility.

Crooked I+DL

Mic Geronimo

2009-05-20T01:49:00.006-04:00

My experience with Mic Geronimo goes way back to the days of Jr High, when I was a total skater and the ongoing competition amongst my friends was seeing who could get laid first. I remember watching an old skate vide by Thrasher called Skate & Destroy. During the video I heard this rap song I really liked. 10 years later I found out it was Mic Geronimo’s “The Natural”. It’s crazy how a lot of Hip-Hop that I have heard in passing has resurfaced the longer I’ve been listening.

Mic Geronimo has been around for a long while and just released some fairly new stuff. I gotta say that I have not liked any of his albums since The Natural. There just seems to be an element missing. I think it has a lot to do with the beats that are being used. The Natural album was full of dope dope beats which really complimented Mic Geronimo’s rap cadence.

I’m actually missing two of his albums I thought I had: Masta I.C. & M.I.C
Not sure how I over looked those albums but they will be up soon.

Enjoy

Mic Geronimo+DL

Continuing to Grow

2009-05-19T10:35:00.004-04:00

I’m in the process of uploading quite a lot of material. I have a great collection of Crooked I, Ras Kass, M.O.P., Common, Pharoahe Monch, and many others.

I’m curious if others have the same tastes in Hip-Hop as I do. Not just when it comes to liking one particular artist, but more having to do with the type of artists that I like. There are many MC’s that are underground and internet favorites that I really don’t care for (the list is long so I won’t go into it).

I have recently come across some Lyricist Lounge material that I did not know was out there. I only knew about Lyricist Lounge Vol.1, vol.2 and an old Ecko CD I got called Underground Air Play. What I found is that there are six Underground Air Play tapes/CDs. By the grace of dedicated Hip-Hop heads I have gotten my hands on all six tapes! I haven’t even gotten to listen to them myself, though I suspect I will as I am moving from AZ to Baltimore and have a long drive ahead of me.

I’m looking to hook up with some other blogs that have similar interest. Hopefully that will help generate some more traffic to Mainstream Withdrawal (MW). If you got your own blog or are interested in connecting up, just post a comment and we’ll do the deal.

The X-Ecutioners

2009-05-18T12:17:00.005-04:00

Here is a crew of DJs that got my attention a while back.the members of the group are: DJ Total Eclipse, Roc Raida, Mista Sinista (no longer in the group), Rob Swift (no longer in the group).
I had an old roommate and friend who was (and still is) a DJ. He introduced me to another side of DJing that I didn’t realize was such an emerging movement. I’m talking about Q-Bert, DJ Shadow, The Invisible Scratch Pickles, Mix Master Mike (his solo stuff), The X-Ecutioners, and many more.
While I can’t say I enjoy this kind of Hip-Hop (and I do consider it Hip-Hop) as much as MC’s and Rapping, I do respect it a great deal. My friend Bob Campbell is a genius with turntables. I’m not talking about one guy I knew who could spin a few records and did a little scratching here and there, I’m talking about a dude who was in a DJ crew and made some incredible music from vinyl that was like nothing I had ever heard before. He put together some amazing beats using his mixer/turntables and my old dell laptop. I, like a fool, re-formatted my hard drive that had all his recordings on it.
The X-Ecutioners are somewhere in the middle of the new DJ movement, and regular Hip-Hop DJs. I like that they have done so many tracks with notable MC’s: Pharoahe Monch, Kool G Rap, Cypress Hill, and many more.
Please take the time to listen to these albums, and if there is a particular DJ from the group that you like chances are he has a solo album that is worth checking out.

The X-Ecutioners+DL

Shit

2009-05-18T10:46:00.004-04:00

I’ve run into something I did not expect. The discographies that I thought were so complete are not. It’s a humbling experience. I thought I had a few good ones (and I still do) only to find out that they were not complete. The perfectionist in me is not satisfied with this. I thought that maybe I could upload what I have and update it with new stuff as I find it, but I know myself and that would never work. I guess one of the hold-ups I have about that is I don’t want this to just be a download site. Let me explain. If i jsut post suff that I have I wont do a write up for each post (just too much god-damn writting). That’s not to say anyone can’t just download what they want, I just wanted to offer more than that.
So what to do………….Well I’m committed to providing something each day, so I’ll do what I can. It may be that I will have to put total discographies on hold (which I don’t want to do) so that I can keep getting stuff out there.

Keith Murray

2009-05-16T15:59:00.010-04:00

I’ve been listening to Murray since about ‘98 or ’99. I don’t remember exactly how I found out about him, but I think it was around the time I was getting into a lot of Redman (that post is in the works), EPMD and DEF Squad. In short, Keith can rap circles around most MC’s. If you have read any of my other posts you notice something I look for in an MC is rhyme delivery. Keith is in my top 3 with delivery.

It’s short but sweet. As usual this MC represents that mid to late 90’s Hip-Hop. His style seems to encapsulate many of the MCs that are a part of his crew. I consider Keith to be a more tactful, but less playful version of Redman. If those two battled it would be very interesting as their styles are so similar.Here is an exurb from Wikipedia that I thought was very interesting:

“Keith Murray is infamous for his extensive criminal record. In 1995, he was charged and convicted of second-degree assault stemming from a bar fight in New Britain, Connecticut. Murray allegedly struck sixteen year old David Hughes with a stool after members of Murray's posse had already knocked Hughes unconscious. Hughes was said to be trying to break up a fight between his brother and members of Murray's crew. After failed appeals, Murray fled. He finally turned himself in in 1998. He was sentenced to five years, but he only served 33 months. Murray still says that he is innocent. He gained the support of many fellow artists including LL Cool J and Britney Spears. Unfortunately, his legal troubles did not end here. He also was fired from Def Jam after allegedly choking a fellow street team member in 2004. Keith Murray has been hit with a lawsuit stemming from a stabbing at Webster Hall in New York last year. The lawsuit was filed in Kings County Court in Brooklyn, New York, claiming that the rapper allegedly stabbed a fan during a concert in the early morning hours of Christmas day of 2004. The lawsuit was settled between the fan and Webster Hall before going to trial in late September 2008.”

(Wikipedia – Keith Murray: Criminal History)

Guilty or innocent, it always amazes me that some people are able to remain highly skilled in their profession and at the same time have such difficulty in their personal lives. I guess it’s not that uncommon and everybody has had their fair-share of issues (particularly Hip-Hop Mc’s).

Having said all that, here are the albums. My personal favorite is Enigma

Keith Murray+DL

Big L

2009-05-16T09:59:00.009-04:00

Big L: fierce lyricist, deadly shit talker, highly influential, pioneer, legend. These are a few descriptions that I think of when I hear the name Big L. No doubt he is one of the best. He was in the D.I.T.C. crew and Children of the Corn (if anyone wants the album say so).

The first time that I listened to Big L I found his lyrics to be…..well…….disturbing. I was pretty sure I didn’t like him at the time and figured he was just another artist that gained notoriety though cultural shock value (think: Eminem, Marylyn Manson, etc). Though obviously Big L didn’t reach the level of fame that gets the attention of regular radio listeners, he is one of the biggest semi-underground rapper that accurately represents 90’s Hip-Hop.

Big L definitely changed that course of the way MC’s rhymed about themselves. You know how rappers like boasts their own greatness using rhymes that imply their wealth, sex life, future goals of global dominance, and the importance of a large and powerful crew? (yeah, that’s just about every rapper out there) Anyways, my point is that Big L (along with a few others) was one of the first MC’s that paved the way for those kinds of lyrics. One might say that he was a pioneer of arrogance on the mic. Many people I've talked with believe Big L was a rapper whose style was ahead of his time. But that’s sort of the case with all pioneers; they are the first (or one of the first) to do something different. Now what I find separates Big L from the every-day shit-talking rapper is his delivery, cadence, and potent choice of words. I will listen to rap that carries no useful message at all so long as the MC can make it interesting.

Now that I have touted Big L’s awesomeness I feel the need to express some of my other thoughts about him that are contrary to popular belief. I think that he is over-rated. Yes I said it, over-god-damn-rated. No doubt he is a great MC that brought change which affected all of Hip-Hop, but I don’t see him as being that much better than several other MC’s of that time. I get the feeling that because some highly influential MC’s and Hip-Hop aficionados’ said that he was super great many people who barely know anything about him (or that era of Hip-Hop) are thinking that Big L is a great reference to have in order to convince other people they know what “good Hip-Hop” is. Having just written that there is good cause for me to think that I at one point may have thought and done just what I am describing. Regardless, I stand behind my conviction. I guess the best way I could describe my thoughts of Big L would be to say that there are many people who are just “dick riders” (someone esp. a male who is always on another males dick. always talking about that guy, bringing up his name: Urbandictionary.com).

I gotta say that Big L continues to carry a large amount of hype despite the fact that he has been dead for some time. I respect Big L and am grateful to what he brought to the game.

I like to tell myself that I have a respectful Big L collection. I’ll let you be the judge.

Big L+DL

D.I.T.C.

2009-05-15T14:35:00.000-04:00

These guys are the stuff of legends. Just Check the Lineup of this crew: Showbiz & A.G., Diamond D, Lord Finesse, Fat Joe, O.C., Buckwild, and Big L. These MC's alone deserve there own write-up (Big L's is right around the corner). How I first found out about D.I.T.C was by trying to hunt-down the beat MC Juice freestyled over while on the Wakeup Show. As it turned out the beat I was looking for was from the song "Day One". I can't stress what an all-star crew this is. Though each MC's styles vary, they all share that east-coast grimy mid to late 90's Hip-Hop sound. Most of what is talked about in their songs is typical "I'm the shit, check out all the hoes I got who are attracted to me because of the money I have made from dealing drugs in large (and highly illegal) quantities. My stance on this is that if an MC can make it sound good and shows an aptitude for lyrics that are more than just basic words that happen to rhyme, I will listen to it. It's about the proper structure and delivery of content. I suppose that could be considered the difference between mainstream rappers and talented MC's. I find that for the "average" listener doesn't want to be bothered by rap that requires much active-listening. To be fair I don't always care to be that involved myself. I like songs that access both ends of the spectrum. If I broke it down to resemble something similar to a math equation it would look like this:

ICouldBumpThisLoudlyInMyCarWithTheWindowsDown+DamnDidYouHearWhatHeJustSpitOnTheMic=DopeTrack

Oh, if you didn't know D.I.T.C. stands for "Diggin' in the Crates".

DITC+DL

Skillz (Mad)

2009-05-15T12:26:00.002-04:00

This guy has been around for a long long time. I regard him as one of the most talented MC's out there.

Skillz heirs from Richmond Virginia, and is notoriously known for ghostwriting other rappers material (Puffy, Mase, Foxy Brown, & more). I haven't really taken to many of his albums with the exception of an album produced by Timberland. Skillz has done a lot with the Neptunes and that stuff was alright.
It's sad that such a talented MC can get overlooked for this many years. Skillz style of battle rapping lyrics and wordplay doesn't fit in with mainstream rap these days. It seem that most talented MC's that have real skills and represent what Hip-Hop used to be have a hard time finding a place in what is currently considered to be "air play" rap. to quote Crooked I (real rappers) "are the last of a dying breed". I hate being the whiner that "can't stand this radio mainstream crap". I suppose the general direction of rap (like many other things) is an ongoing evolutionary process. I can't help to think that this is exactly what my parents thought about my music, but seriously how can someone like "Peter, Paul & Mary"?
As usual, I got the links to his albums. Be sure to check out the "The Nod Factor (VLS)". On it is the song "Year is 95", and is a true tribute to 90's Hip-Hop.

Skillz+DL

The Coup

2009-05-14T00:17:00.006-04:00

Five words that define The Coup: political, funk, witty, revolutionary, Oakland.
This is a peculiar kind of hip-hop that has grown on me over the years. First I liked the beats, then the rhymes, then the beats and rhymes. This is the Hip-Hop I grew up on, and the fact that The Coup continued to put out albums till 07 means they’ve been in the game for about 14 years!
The coup first consisted of Boots, E-Roc and Pam the Funktress. E-Roc did leave the group after their second album but, to me he was not an essential element to the group, which is why I don’t miss him. Boots is a particularly interesting MC. He talks a lot about activism and actually backs it up. My cousin was very politically active in Berkeley CA and mention that she had met Boots at a rally. What I like about Boots is that his cause does not deter from unbelievably good lyricism.
“Fuck the pigs is my basic statement/I spit street stories till I taste the pavement”
That is just a sample. Please give it a shot, the beats can take some getting-used-to, but it is worth it. Personally my favorite album is “Genocide & Juice”

I won’t say this much, but in this case I am compelled, if you like the Coup PLEASE BUY their albums.
Ok, no more of that nonsense, enjoy.

The Coup+DL

Aasim

2009-05-10T23:20:00.001-04:00

What happened to the lyricists?

An MC that caught my attention a few months back was Aasim. I was listening to VL-rip of "Loud Records Unreleased Vol.1" when I heard Aasim. I didn't pay much mind to his song at first, but when I got down to really listening to it I was blown away. His lyricism is comparable to early Twista and Redman (though rhyming over vastly different beats). His Later albums were so-so. He kinda lost some of his mic hunger if you ask me. But regardless check it out, you be the judge. Be sure to check out the track "Fly Shit" off the Loud Records Unreleased Vol.1

Aasim+DL

Welcome

2009-05-10T22:18:00.001-04:00

It finally happened....This blog has been a long time in the coming has.

Cutting to the chase, this blog is about Hip-Hop. I am very picky about the Hip-Hop that I listen to. For the most part I want to let the music I post speak for it's self. I'm curious about how blogging works and how many people can be reached. I suppose that the reason this is of interest to me is I want to share my taste in Hip-Hop with others. I have started to email friends links to new albums and stuff like that. I guess that I get interested in enrolling people in what I consider to be real Hip-Hop. Of course what's considered to be "real Hip-Hop" is a matter of perspective.

It does not matter to me why you choose to visit the site. If you come just to download music that's fine. If you come to participate in the blog (which would be awesome) that too is fine. There no expectations. Eventually, if the blog gets enough attention, I will probably restrict it to subscribers, but that is a long ways off.

If anyone finds the material objectionable, or wants me to take down a link, leave a comment on the post and it will be done.

Most of all enjoy

Mainstream Withdrawal

***Update***

Kool G Rap

***Update***

Rise

Masta Ace

Slaughter House

Prime

***Update***

Lyricist Lounge

***Update***

M.O.P.

Tash

Afu-Ra

Kardinal Offishall

***Update***

FatBeats

Underground Airplay

***Update***

Xzibit

Common

***Update***

***Update***

Sly Boogy

Pharoahe Monch

***Update***

***Update***

Ras Kass

***Update***

Dirty Bird

Only fell off a bit.......

Saukrates

Excuses

Tha Alkaholiks

Sauce Money

Crooked I

Mic Geronimo

Continuing to Grow

The X-Ecutioners

Shit

Keith Murray

Big L

D.I.T.C.

Skillz (Mad)

The Coup

Aasim

Welcome

Update

Update

Update

Update

Update

Update

Update

Update

Update

Update

Update