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

Rap Treats #101: Slick Rick "Behind Bars" (Prince Paul Unreleased Original Version) + News Reports ('94 & '95)

Slick Rick is my hero. Seriously one of the artists who solidified my love of Hip-Hop. From his records with Doug E Fresh ("The Show" & "La-Di-Da-Di") to his ultra classic solo debut The Great Adventures Of Slick Rick it was clear that MC Ricky D was a cut above the rest when it came to story telling rap. Fuck it, when it came to rapping in general. When he caught the charges that landed him in jail I felt that shit. Everything that he recorded since couldn't compare to his original body of work. The free Slick Rick music was exactly what Rick wanted to put out, while the "Free Slick Rick" music was mostly the record labels versions of rushed music he recorded before he went to jail. "Behind Bars" was one of those songs. The world got the Warren G version of the record which was cool, but it has Def Jam's fingerprints all over it. This is the original version that Slick Rick and Prince Paul recorded that until recently could only be found in a pile of old reels that Paul had locked away. Big up Prince Paul for liberating the original version of "Behind Bars" (as well as a bunch of other treats from the early '90s that you can check HERE). To keep the whole Behind Bars theme going, above is a news piece that aired in 1994 about Rick's incarceration, and below similar piece that aired in '95. 

Long live The Ruler, you CRUMBS!!!

Slick Rick

"Behind Bars" (Prince Paul Unreleased Original Version)

Rap Treats #100: BIGGIE/Craig Mack - B.I.G. Mack Sampler ('94)

Rap Treat # 100. That's right.

We figured we'd have BIGGIE do the honours for number one hundid. This is the infamous B.I.G. Mack promo cassette that has 6 Craig Mack songs on side A and and 6 BIGGIE SMALLS songs side B. hands down b-side wins again! This was one of the first, if not the first, major promo campaigns that Bad Boy and shit was genius. This tape's gem is the original version of BIGGIE's "Me & My Bitch". Sample clearance issues is said to be the reason this version didn't make the final version of the album. I dig this one much better. It's the version BIGGIE and Puff intended the world to hear but never made it past the promo tape.

BIGGIE/Craig Mack

B.I.G. Mack Sampler (1994)

(Bad Boy Records)

Side A: Craig Mack

1. Project Funk Da World

2. Flava In Ya Ear

3. Real Raw

4. Mainline

5. Like D'atY'All

6. Shinka

Side B: The Notorious B.I.G.

7. Intro

8. Juicy

9. Things Done Changes

10. Ready To Die

11. The What

12. Me And My Bitch (Original Version)

13. Unbelievable

Rap Treats #99: Big Pun - "Still Not A Player" (Reference Track)

This has been floating around as the "Still Not A Player" demo, but what it really is is the reference track Pun sent Joe before they recorded their smash. Pun "sings" Joe's part and Cuban Link does Pun's verses while the explain to Joe how they want the record to be put together. Also, this came courtesy of DJ Soul as the loud and poorly placed tag indicates.

Bug Pun w/ Cuban Link

"Still Not A Player" (Reference Track)

Rap Treats #98: Original, Rare and Unreleased 4

Straight outta 30 Rockefeller Plaza we have Ice Cube performing "Straight Outta Compton" (kind of) on the Jimmy Fallon show. This was actually recorded before they went on the air to hype up the studio audience. Cube goes in over the most incredible Roots band including Black "MC Ren" Thought and guitarist Kirk "Eazy-E" Douglas in what is probably the illest karaoke performance ever. You are now about to witness the strength of street knowledge.

Ice Cube

"Straight Outta Compton" (The Roots Remix)

This was originally on the advance copy of The Love Movement album, but for whatever reason it didn't make the final cut. No rappin', just Mos Def introducing ATCQ playing the role of host at "the comfortable Paladino Lounge and Supper Club". Nothing ground breaking, but a cool listen for Tribe heads.

A Tribe Called Quest

"Intro" featuring Mos Def (Unreleased)

The original version of "Benjamins". This was before BIGGIE found his way onto the record. This version saw the light of day on a Bad Boy promo tape that was given out back in '96. Same beat, but just Puffy & The Lox on this one. This song is the reason the version that everybody knows is called the "remix".

Puff Daddy & The Lox

"It's All About The Benjamins" (Original Version)

This was recorded in '94 around the "Get It Together" time. Completely different beat than the bugged out version that came out in '99. I dig this one better. Much better.

Beastie Boys

"Intergalactic" (Original Version)

I always felt that "Regulate" would have been better served if the version we all know and love wasn't the radio edit. Everything is better with swearing in my books and "Regulate" is no fucking exception. This is the dirty version that was never released. It kind of sounds like shit and doesn't start clean but fuck it, "Regulators, mount up!"

Warren G & Nate Dogg

"Regulate" (Original Dirty Version)

The "Dig A Hole" that made the Kingdom Come album was produced by Swizz Beatz, and like the whole Kingdom Come album this wasn't Jay's best work. The original version of the song was produced by Just Blaze and to my ears is WAY better than Swizzy's version. This should have been on the album no question. Maybe it was a sample problem, maybe it was a record label thing, or maybe it was Jay just fucked up. Regardless, Just Blaze let this one loose so enjoy!

Jay-Z

"Dig A Hole" (Original Version)

Rap Treats #97: Beastie Boys - Live on Madonna Tour (1985) + Live at CBGB (1982)

Here are a couple of early concert by the Beastie Boys. They aren't super rare or hard to find, but I wanted to ad them to list. The first is their opening set on Madonna's Like A Virgin Tour from 1885. This was before they blew up and the material was all pre Licenced To Ill. They were on Def Jam by this point and their show is mostly based on the Def Jam 12" MCA put out in '85. The second show is from their punk band days and has nothing to do with Hip-Hop. It's still dope though because it's the Beastie Boys at legendary NYC punk venue CBGB in 1982.

Beastie Boys

Live at St. Paul Civic Center (Madonna Tour - May 21st, 1985)

1. "Intro"

2. "It's Yours"

3. "She's On It"

4. "Drum Machine"

5. "Beastie's Groove"

6. "Rock Hard"

Beastie Boys

Live at CBGB, NY (Nov. 20th, 1982)

Rap Treats #96: Public Enemy - Public Enemy No. 1 (Original Version/WBAU Promo)

This could also be looked at as Public Enemy's demo, but technically it is a promo that aired on Doctor Dre's Operating Room show on WBAU back in '85. Basically it's the original version of what became P.E.'s first single on Def Jam. Lyrics are a bit different at times. Sugar Ray Leonard gets referenced instead of Mike Tyson, and Flav's intro is basically the same but just an earlier take. Ill to hear Chuck D & Flavor Flav at the very beginning of P.E. career.

Public Enemy

Public Enemy No. 1 (Orignal Version/WBAU Promo)

Rap Treats #95: Jam Master Jay DJ Set on Westwood (1998)

In all my travels through the internet, I have come across exactly 1 recording of a Jam Master Jay DJ set - and this is it. Jay was seriously my hero growing up and the reason I started DJing so this is extra ill to me. This is JMJ spinning an old school set on Tim Westwood's radio show in the UK. JMJ gets at all the classics and even starts his set off by rappin' a verse of "Peter Piper". Shouts to StepOne for the find.

Jam Master Jay

Live on Tim Westwood's Radio One Rap Show (1998)

Rap Treats #94: Outkast - Live at House Of Blues (2000)

It's crazy to think that this recording is 12 years old. This is Outkast at their best in my books. I'm cool with everything that has come after (minus Idlewild), but it's this era and the previous 6 years that puts them in the discussion for best duo ever. Courtesy of TROY, here is the audio of Outkast performing at the House Of Blues in L.A. October 16th, 2000.

Outkast

Live at House Of Blues L.A. (2000)

1. Gasoline Dreams Atliens

2. So Fresh So Clean

3. Spottieottiedopealicious

4. Skew It On The Bar-B

5. Southernplayalisticadillacfunkymuzik

6. Elevators

7. Da Art Of Storytelling

8. Spaghetti Junction

9. Humble Mumble

10. Miss Jackson

11. Red Velvet

12. Gansta Shit

13. Rosa Parks

14. Bombs Over Baghdad

15. Call Before I Come

Rap Treats #93: Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique Demos

I wish I could hear demo versions of all my favourite albums. This is basically the blueprint to what would be come the final version of Paul's Boutique. Early versions of most of the album and some out takes make up the majority of these recordings. Even though these are demos, they are still dope as fuck. So dope that Banquet Records have pressed up a 7" Box Set of these recordings and some others.

Beastie Boys

Paul's Boutique Demos

1. Full Clout (Shake Your Rump)

2. 3 Minute Rule

3. Car Thief

4. Johnny Ryall #1

5. Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun

6. Egg Man

7. Sounds of Science

8. Johnny Ryall #2

9. Car Thief #2

10. 33% God

11. Hello Brooklyn

12. Stop That Train

Rap Treats #91: Nas - SXSW Illmatic Concert (Full Performance)

Usually this would fall under the Classic Material category, but it may just be the illest Rap Treat on Nation Of Millions. At SXSW this year Nas performed Illmatic in it's entirety complete with DJ's Premier and Pete Rock on the tables and AZ to rock his verse on "Life's A Bitch". Not sure why the powers that be didn't hook up one video with the whole show, but these videos should do the trick. This isn't the show in its entirety, but it is all of Illmatic. Primo and Pete Rock took time out in the middle of the show to battle - Primo beat versus Pete Rock beat! Also, Nas rocked his verse from Main Source's "Live At The BBQ" during his set, as well as a few of his hits ending with "Made You Look" (which I included at the bottom). How do I know all this? Because I was there - geeked as a motherfucker. Easily in my top 5 concerts that I've been too. Watch all these videos asap. Nas rocks well, it ain't hard to tell!

Bonus Illmatic - Here is a 45 Minute set from Funk Flex and Lovebug Starski from The Tunnel that includes the Nas' Illmatic release party (previous Rap Treat).

Funk Flex & Lovebug Starski
Live at The Tunnel/Nas Illmatic Release Party (1994)

Rap Treats #90: Nas - Columbia Records Illmatic Release Party Performance (1994)

"Y'all ready for Nas? Y'all ready for Nasty Nas?!"

This is quite the Rap Treat - a recording of Nas performing at his Columbia Records' Illmatic album release party from 1994. Gems like this don't surface every day. Whoever is responsable for pressing record on the tape deck and then ripping it 15+ years later I salute you. This is one of my favorite albums of all time and one of the albums to receive 5 mics from The Source back when The Source was THE authority on Hip-Hop (click HERE to read the review). Having the audio of Nas' performance is just crazy to me and another reason the internet is the fucking shit. Nas and crew run through a few cuts from the album including "Represent" (with a different beat) and his "new single" "It Ain't Hard To Tell". It also features a lot of yelling from his his crew, AZ on "Life's a Bitch", and the "Y'all ready for Nasty Nas" sound bite that is used on Nas' "Nasty" record.

*Re-Upped with a much better sounding copy + the extended version featuring Funkmaster Flex's set before and after Nas' performance. Queensbridge is most definitely in the house!

Nas

Columbia Records Illmatic Release Party Performance

1. "Represent"

2. "It Ain't Hard To Tell"

3. "The World Is Yours"

4. "Life's A Bitch"

Funkmaster Flex w/ Luvbug Starski & Nas

Columbia Records Illmatic Release Party DJ Set

Rap Treats #89: Jay-Z & Kanye West - Watch The Throne Concert

There are two concert this year that have me geeked out. The first is motherfucking Prince, and the very next night it is these two - Jay-Z & Kanye. That's right, Prince and Watch the Throne back to back. Throw in Pete Rock vs. Premier in town that same weekend and odds are I'm going to lose my fucking mind. Anyways, if you can't make (or afford) the Watch The Throne show then here is your fix - a recording of the whole concert from North Carolina. Hov & 'Ye Stans rejoice. 40+ songs. AGAIN!

Jay-Z & Kanye West

Watch The Throne Concert (Audio)

1. Throne Music

2. H.A.M.

3. Who Gon Stop Me

4.Try a Little Tenderness

5. Otis

6. Welcome To The Jungle

7. Gotta Have It

8. Where I'm From

9. Nigga What? Nigga Who?

10. Can't Tell Me Nothing

11. Flashing Lights

12. Jesus Walks

13. Diamonds From Sierra Leone (Remix)

14. PSA

15. U Don't Know

16. Run This Town

17. Monster

18. Power/Power Remix

19. Made In America

20. New Day

21. Hard Knock Life

22. Izzo

23. Empire State oOf Mind

24. Runaway

25. Heartless

26. Stronger

27. On To The Next One

28. Dirt Off Your Shoulders

29. Give It To Me

30. That's My Bitch

31. Good Life

32. Touch The Sky

33. All Of The Lights

34. Big Pimpin'

35. Gold Digger

36. 99 Problems

37. What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)

38. No Church in the Wild

39. Lift Off

40. Niggas In Paris

41. Niggas In Paris

42. Niggas In Paris

43. Encore

Rap Treats #88: LL Cool J "Year Of The Hip-Hop" (1994)

LL Cool J is hard as hell! Well not so much these days, but this record here is much closer to the "Rock The Bells" LL than it is to the "Hey Lover" LL that we all know and don't love. This was actually recorded back in '94 with K-Def but was lost behind a radiator until now (for real). For the full story on this unreleased LL Cool J joint let's take it straight from the soundcloud page...

"Back in 1994 K-Def was working on some beats out of the B Room in Marly Marl's House Of Hits when LL Cool J walked in on his session and said "let's make some tracks together". Uncle L had always wanted to rhyme on a track using the famous ESG breakbeat 'UFO', so he had Def lay it down with some scratches and then went to town with the mic. Both thought they had a sure fire hit on their hands but unfortunately it was never used.

The DAT tape of the studio session was feared lost for several years before it eventually turned up stuck behind a radiator! Now, 17 years later, K-Def and Slice-of-Spice are proud to present 'Year Of The Hip Hop' in all it's vinyl glory.

As with all Slice-of-Spice pressings, no expense is being spared for this vinyl labor of love. Outside of a full color cover, with a 3mm spine, the special limited edition version comes on solid orange vinyl, with individual gold stamp numbering. Once again we're coming at you with strong cover art from the legendary Joe Buck, and personally we think this is his best one yet!"

LL Cool J

"Year Of The Hip-Hop"

Rap Treats #87: 213 - St. Ides Promo Tape (1994)

No company had rappers slanging their product like St. Ides. The beer tasted like piss, but dudes drank it strictly on the strength that Ice Cube and King Tee told them too. Before that, cats drank Old English because N.W.A. rapped about it. And before that, people drank Kool Aid because of that big ass jug of Kool Aid broke through walls and told them to drink the shit. Anyways, this tape is dope and I'm pretty sure you had to be in the right place at the right time to catch one of these cassettes. There is also an Ice Cube tape and an Eric B & Rakim tape out there somewhere too. If you have them send them!

213 (Snoop, Warren G & Nate Dogg)

St. Ides Promo Tape (1994)

1. St. Ides In The LBC
2. When We Sippin On The Brew
3. Drank Anthem
4. Dogg Food & Drank

Rap Treats #86: Stretch & Bobbito 20th Anniversary on WKCR

Yes, I know this is mad late and you can find it everywhere, but I wanted to add it to the Rap Treat archive so here it is. This is a piece of history that everybody should have so if you haven't yet downloaded Stretch & Bobbito's reunion show do so asap. In fact, if you aren't familiar with their show then hit google and download every old show that you can get. The Stretch & Bobbito show was a HUGE influence on my radio life and as a Hip-Hop head in general. Before the internet reigned supreme this show is where you found all the new shit, the exclusive shit, and the rare shit. Plus, dudes had jokes. Hopefully this won't be the last show there two do together.

Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito Garcia

Stretch & Bobbito's 20th Anniversary Show on WKCR

Rap Treats #85: The Beatnuts - Intoxicated Demos EP

Here goes the One Leg Up Records pressing of The Beatnuts songs that were recorded between '91 and '93. There were only 200 copies of this so if you didn't get yours you are out of luck. See the label above for the track listing.

The Beatnuts

Intoxicated Demos

Rap Treats #84: Wu-Tang Clan Live @ The Source Awards (1995)

Wu-Tang is for the children. Just a reminder. Anyways, this is the audio from the 1995 Source Awards of Wu at the height of their buzz. Hip-Hop's hottest new group at Hip-Hop's most influential magazine's award show (sorry Right On). These dudes sound hungry as fuck. Ah, the good old days.

Wu-Tang Clan

Live @ The Source Awards (1995)

1. Intro

2. Wu-Tnag Clan Ain't Nuthin To Fuck Wit

3. Protect ya Neck

4. Shame On A Nigga

5. C.R.E.A.M.

6. Clan In Da Front

7. 7th Chamber

8. Method Man

9. Rosie Perez Presents Gold Record

Rap Treats #83: Public Enemy Live in Concert (1992)

That's right. Back to back PE Rap Treats. If you haven't noticed, ItTakesANationOfMillionsToHoldThisSac are Public Enemy fans. This treat is a recording of Public Enemy live in concert from April 1992 when they were on tour supporting their Apocalypse '91... The Enemy Strikes Black album. Classic, classic shit right here.

Public Enemy

Live In Concert (4.9.92)

1. Lost At Birth

2. Night of the Living Baseheads

3. Bring the Noise/Welcome to the Terrordome

4. Nighttrain

5. By the Time I Get to Arizona

6. Fight the Power

7. Gotta Do What I Gotta Do

8. Buck Whylin'/She Watch Channel Zero

9. How to Kill a Radio Consultant

10. More News at 11

11. A Letter to the NY Post/I Don't Wanna Be Called Yo Niga

12. Rebel without a Pause/Public Enemy No. 1/Don't Believe the Hype

13. Shut Em Down

14. 911 is a Joke

15. Can't Truss It

Rap Treats #82: Public Enemy - Bring The Noise 2000 (Unreleased Internet LP)

Chuck D has always been ahead of his time, and PE's use of the internet is no exception. Back in 1998 Chuck D posted this album on Public Enemy's website for fans to download for free, but his record label freaked the fuck out and forced them to take it down. After all, who would ever give music away for free on the internet? That shit will never catch on. Anyways, here is the whole unreleased Bring The Noise 2000 album... for free... on the internet. Imagine that.

Public Enemy

Bring The Noise 2000

1. There Were More Hype Believers Than Ever in '97

2. Welcome to the Terrordome (X-games remix)

3. Bring the Noise

4. You're Gonna Get Yours

5. Whole Lotta Love Going On In the Middle Of Hell

6. Don't Believe the Hype

7. How to Kill a Radio Consultant

8. Night of the Living Baseheads

9. Cold Lampin'

10. Move!

11. Welcome to the Terrordome

12. What Side You On?

13. Hazy Shade of Criminal

14. Buck Whylin'

15. Yo! Bum Rush the Show

16. 911 Is A Joke

17. Louder Than A Bomb

18. Rebel Without A Pause

19. G'Damn That DJ Made My Day

20. Son of Public Enemy

21. Burn Hollywood Burn

22. Incident at 66.6 FM

23. Live and Undrugged

24. She Watch Channel Zero?!?!

25. Fight the Power

26. Mind Deep

27. Mind Deep (Instrumental)