Classic Material: Random 90's Hip-Hop TV Clips

This is pretty cool. Somebody took the time to go through all their old video tapes of random 90's cable access Rap shows (and Yo! MYV Raps) and put them together on one 7 minute video. The highlight is most def a bare foot ODB standing on the block with Sunz Of Man waiting for some dude named Panther to bring him that "get high" while going on about how there are good white devils and bad white devils and how he is for the children even though children are bad bastards just like he used to be and a bunch of other shit that made no sense. 90's Rap TV at its finest!

Demos: A Tribe Called Quest (Snippets)

This is just something for the Tribe heads. Even though it is just snippets, it is a dope listen to hear some pre record deal Tribe as well as a couple of unreleased songs. Somebody has this demo tape, and if you are that person lets talk! 

1) Description Of A Fool
2) Pubic Enemy
3) Native Tongue (Unreleased)
4) Left My Wallet In El Segundo
5) Dust (My Pal) (Unreleased)

Groove Music: The Art and Culture of the Hip Hop DJ

Hip-hop has slowly gathered steam as a topic of study in universities around the globe. However, most of the literature focuses on the lyrics, and not the music itself. Mark Katz, an associate professor of Music at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has written a book on not just hip-hop, not just DJing, but hip-hop DJing specifically, and the result is nothing short of brilliant. It is a thorough and in-depth examination of the DJs centrality in hip-hop and Katz digs deeper than others before him to archive the roots, major players, innovations, and the massive cultural significance of hip-hop DJs. Katz documents Kool Herc's first party, the early battle scene between DJs in the Bronx, and even dedicates several pages to the significance of the often scratched "aaaah" and "fresh!" samples from Fab 5 Freddy's "Change Le Beat."  Interviews include GrandWizzard Theodore, Afrika Bambaataa, Grandmixer D.ST, DJ Cash Money, DJ Steve Dee, DJ Q Bert, DJ Craze, Rob Swift, and countless others. It's a must have.

Michael Jordan: Gotta Be The Shoes

Happy Birthday Mike.

Rap Treat #103: Big Daddy Kane b/w Ultramagnetic MCs (Rare)

Once again the wonderful world of the inter web comes through with something for the Rap Nerds that was unexpected, but most appreciated. I'm not sure who is responsible for this (and neither are the folks at TROY where I jacked it from), but somebody needs to high five that MF. A while back, a couple of unreleased 80's Ultra acetates popped up on ebay which saw one of them go for $3000 f'n dollars! That song was "Simple Metaphore" and it has now popped up on bootleg wax that was limited to 100 copies. Added to the bootleg is a couple of Kane songs - one from '91 - that have been floating around the net (but these are the tag less/no annoying DJ yelling all over it versions) and the other Ultra acetate. Again, whoever got their hands on one of those acetates and pressed this up deserve a rap blog gold metal. Same with the dude over at TROY who got his hands on one of the 100 copies and ripped it to mp3 for the rest of us. Salute!

Big Daddy Kane b/w Ultramagnetic MCs

Bootleg 12"

A1. Big Daddy Kanye "Sing My Song"

A2. Big Daddy Kanye "Give A Demonstration"

B1. Ultramagnetic MCs "Simple Metaphore"

B2. Ultramagnetic MCs "Ain't It Good To You" remix

"Seanwuar"? Sean Price interviews Pharoahe Monche

Duck Down's Sean Price pays homage to interview king Nardwuar the Human Serviette. Yes, you read that correctly.

Slum Village Soundcheck - J Dilla, Baatin, T3

I first saw this video about two years ago on youtube and it was promptly removed (?), but it lives on at ihiphop.com. All I have to say is this is some interesting footage. The recording industry isn't all glamour and glitz, sometimes you have to endure some downtime, such as making sure your sound is tight for a performance. As fans know, Jay Dee often removed himself from the spotlight to concentrate on his beats, so watching him with band mates Baatin and T3 (Que D is there too) working behind the scenes provides a small window into the meticulous nature of his work ethic. Peep the dual MPCs... "it don't get no liver than this." Rest in peace J Dilla and Baatin. And thank you.

J Dilla "Dewitt To Do It" + The Lost Scrolls Release

Happy Birthday J Dilla! Okay, the legend's birthday is tomorrow, but this cannot wait. An official 10" EP release of some unreleased (sort of) Dilla tracks has been dropped. My favourite track is "Dewitt to Do It"- an alternate version of Welcome to Detroit's "Shake It Down." What follows are a couple of interludes (Dilla paying homage to Eric B. and Rakim) and the previously released "Yancey Boys" with Illa J and Frank Nitt. Can't wait for the vinyl? Cop it on itunes... OR, download it below.

J Dilla
"Dewitt To Do It"

J Dilla Tribute Mix by Mr. Rumble (aka Niel Scobie)

I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome long time friend and Chief Blogger #1 Niel Scobie to the NationOfMillions.ca squad. Neil is the DJ professionally know as Mr. Rumble and he is also the DJ accurately known as one of the biggest Dilla heads that you will find. With that said, this is the perfect introduction to Niel Scobie... his legendary J Dilla Tribute Mix. This was recorded just days after Dilla passed away. Expect nothing but Dilla jems and Treats over the next few days. Niel's archives are deep. Turn it up!

J Dilla

Tribute Mix by Mr. Rumble (aka Neil Scobie)

Rap Treat #102: DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince Mixtape (1986)

Heads know... Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince were a two-man wrecking crew. Jeff's innovative cutting and scratching and the charismatic Fresh Prince's boisterous emcee-ing style were both unique and well-respected. This mix features the two pioneers trading cuts and rhymes throughout. There's also some live beats straight out of a TR-808 (or 909?). The link says 1985, but based on the instrumentals the duo use, I'd say 1986. Jeff won the New Music Seminar DJ battle in 1986, so perhaps this was recorded before that. 

Beats include Joe Ski-Love's "The Peewee Herman," Beastie Boys "Hold It Now, Hit It," and Whistle's "Just Buggin" among others. And Jazzy Jeff destroys LL's "Rock the Bells." Not the greatest quality but well worth the listen. Historic. Download the mix below.

DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince
Mixtape (1986)