Demos: Kanye West Demo Tape (2001)

Even though most of our download links are dead until we are able to re-up them (process started), we are going to keep hitting you with treats. This one just turned up on the interweb a couple of days ago. If the story that goes along with it is correct, then this is the demo tape the 'Ye was passing around to labels before he signed his deal with Roc-a-fella. The highlight for me is the original version of "Jesus Walks". Enjoy!

Kanye West

Demo Tape (2001)

Demos: Tha Alkaholiks aka E.S.P.

This had eluded me for a couple years for some reason, but no longer. Tha Alkaholiks demo tape recorded when the crew was known as Educated Street Poets (E.S.P.). Dope.

Tha Alkaholiks aka E.S.P.

Demo Tape

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)

Demos: Artifacts Demo Tape (1993)

Another demo tape from the archives. This one isn't hard to get your hands on, in fact it has been floating around blogland for some time now but since I'm on a quest to post every rap demo in existence it is time for this one to go up.

The Source's Unsigned Hype alumni first started buzzing in 1993. Fresh off their appearance on the Nubian Crackers record "Do You Wanna Hear It", Artifacts dropped their debut album Between A Rock and a Hard Place the following year. This is the demo tape that got them that deal. Everything on this tape are original versions of songs that made the album. The only record on this tape that didn't make the cut is the Lord Jamar produced "Check Da Fine Print" that features Brand Nubian. He also produced the original version of "Wrong Side Of The Tracks" which features a different beat (a James Brown loop), a different flow (same lyrics though), and Jamar on the hook (saying the same shit). As usual, the sound quality isn't the best but it is "Demo Tape Hi-Fi" which means it's about as good as music ripped off a cassette tape from the early '90's is going to get.

Artifacts

Demo Tape (1993)

1. "Attack Of New Jerusalem"

2. "Check Da Fine Print" feat. Brand Nubian

3. "Flexi Wit Da Technique"

4. "Wrong Side Of The Tracks"

Demos: D-Nice - "They Call Me D-Nice" (Demo)

"Takin' out you suckas and you don't know how I did it!"

Original material from former BDP/Flavor Unit member turned photographer/Roc Nation DJ D-Nice. This is the demo version of the ultra classic "Thery Call me D-Nice". That's right. Enjoy!

D-Nice

"They Call Me D-Nice" (Demo)

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 #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

Demos: Mobb Deep Infamous Demo Tape (1994)

This has been out for a little bit but some how I just stumbled on it. The Infamous is one of those albums that is beyond classic. It took the Rap world by storm in a year that many call the greatest years in Hip-Hop (it's a toss up between '88 and '94 in my mind). The song on this demo tape I've been looking for is "Paddyshop". This is the song that supoosedly got Mobb Deep their deal with Loud Records.

Mobb Deep

Infamous Demo Tape

1. Keepin’ It Real (Demo)

2. Paddyshop (Demo)

3. Right Back At You (Demo)

4. Q.U. Hectic (Demo)

5. Shook Ones Pt. 0 (Demo)

6. Temperature’s Rising (Demo)

7. It’s Alright With Me (Demo)

8. Lifestyles Of The Infamous (Demo)

9. Trife Life (Demo)

Demos: Nasty Nas Demo Tape (1991)

There is a set of early Nas recordings floating around called the "Pre-Illmatic Demos" that has most assuming it is Nas' demo tape, but according to MC Search this isn't true. Search claims that there were only 2 songs on the Nas demo that blew him away 20 years ago resulting in him signing Nas to Columbia. Those 2 songs are "Nas Will Prevail" and "I'm A Villain" and both songs are produced by Large Professor. "Nas Will Prevail" is an early version of what would become "It Ain't Hard To Tell". The track still features the MJ "Human Nature" sample, but the majority of the lyrics are different. The other song on Nas' demo tape is "I'm A Villain". The story on the beat is that LP made it for Eric B & Rakim during the making of Don't Sweat The Technique, but Ra didn't show up to the recording session. Large Pro slid the beat to Nas and "I'm A Villian" was the result. This track is the gem of the demo to me only because it's ill to hear Nas on a beat that sounds like 1991 all day. On top of that, Nas had to be 17 or 18 at the time but sounded years beyond his age. Like most demo tapes the sound is average at best, but both these tracks are DJ drop/ID free. Ladies and gentleman, b-boys and b-girls, I give you Nasty Nas' Demo Tape!

Nasty Nas

Demo Tape (1991)

1. "Nas Will Prevail"

2. "I'm A Villian"

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

Demos: U.G.K. - Underground Kings Demo (1990)

This is about as early a recording that I've heard from U.G.K. So early that is doesn't feature Bun B, but rather the first incarnation of U.G.K. which was Pimp C and Mitchell Queen.

U.G.K.

"Underground Kings" (Demo)

Demos: Cypress Hill Demo Tape (1989)

I'm a sucker for demo tapes. Something about hearing the actual recordings that lead to record deals is just dope to me. This one has been floating around for a while but I wanted to add it to the archives so here it is... the Cypress Hill demo tape that lead to their deal with Ruffhouse. This was recorded in 1989, a couple years before they dropped their first single in 1991. All these tracks sound like exactly what they are - original versions of records that ended up on their debut album. The only song I hadn't heard was "Caliente" which obviously didn't make the cut. Large up TROY for being a dope blog with shit (like this) that I feel the need to jack.

Cypress Hill

Demo Tape

1. The Phunckee Feel One

2. Caliente

3. Real Estate

4. Light Another

5. Psycobetabuckdown

6. The Phuncky Feel One (Unpolished)

Demos: BIGGIE SMALLS' Unsigned Hype Demo Tape (1992)

When it comes to BIGGIE's demo tape that got him recognized by The Source and their Unsigned Hype column (and eventually by Puffy) I had to question which version is the real demo tape. I've heard that THIS is his Unsigned Hype demo, however one listen and all it sounds like is a collection of freestyles that have DJ drops all over them (even though it does include some of the songs below). On top of that, the Unsigned Hype column said there were 4 songs on the tape and there are 6 songs on the demo in question so I'm saying FUCK THAT. I don't buy it, not as BIGGIE's demo tape that was shopped to labels back in '91/92 anyways.

Then there is the 3 songs that are on the Notorious soundtrack and also at the #1 spot on Complex's Demo List. "Guaranteed Raw", "Love No Hoe", and "Microphone Murder" are by all accounts on the tape that made its way to The Source. There was also a 4th song on the demo that, through hours and hours of extensive research, I believe was "The Wickedest". "The Wickedest" eventually found a home on Funk Flex's Mix Tape Volume 4 that came out in '94 and was credited to Biggie & Mister Cee (who was responsible for shopping BIG's demo around) so it makes sense that it wasn't included on the Notorious soundtrack as a "previously unreleased demo".

That brings us to the 4 songs below that were on BIGGIE's Unsigned Hype demo tape. This isn't a rip of the tape itself, however, but it is the best sounding versions of the 4 songs that made up the demo tape that sparked the career of one of the greatest rapper to ever do it - BIGGIE SMALLS!

BIGGIE SMALLS

Unsigned Hype Demo Tape

1. "Microphone Murderer"

2. "Guaranteed Raw"

3. "Love No Hoe"

4. "The Wickedest"

*If you have a good copy of the actual demo tape (without DJ drops all over it) that The Source heard back in '92 then I would love to hear it and have my Sherlock Holmes routine proven wrong. Although, I'm 99% sure I'm on point with this one. Enjoy the demo - BIGGIE SMALLS is the ILLEST!

Demos: Common Sense Demo Tape (1991)

This is Common's demo tape called UnAmerican Caravan from 1991. That means pre Can I Borrow A Dollar? Common Sense. This is the tape that got him into The Source's Unsigned Hype column back in the day. Like most demo tapes it was ripped off a cassette, but unlike most demo tapes it actually sounds good.

Common Sense

UnAmerican Caravan (Demo '91)

1. First Days Of School

2. Take It Easy (original)

3. To The Temple

4. Who Stole The Clippers

5. The Caravan Train

6. Divide And Conquer

7. 'A' For Effort

Demos: Wu-Tang Clan Demo Tape (1992)

This is the Demo Tape that Wu-Tang shopped to record labels back in '92 and ultimately got them their deal with Loud Records. Wu-Tang!

Wu-Tang Clan

Demo Tape (1992)

1. Enter The Wu-Tang
2. Wu-Tang Master
3. Cuttin' Headz
4. Problemz
5. It's All About Me
6. After The Laughter
7. Bring Da Ruckus
8. The Wu Is Comin' Thru

Rap Treats #49: Del The Funkee Homosapien - The Lost Demos

Sir Jinx produced Del demo tracks from back when he was rollin' with Da Lynch Mob. This is all late 80's material and all pre Hiero Del. Not sure if this was his actual demo tape, or a compilation of demos, but either way it's a must have for demo fiends (like myself) and Hiero fanatics (unlike myself).

Del The Funkee Homosapien

The Lost Demos

1. Intro

2. Mr. Lovable

3. Ain't We Funkin Now

4. Word To The Wise

5. Smoked Out Charlie

6. Duck Season

Demos: Snoop Doggy Dogg & 213 Demo Tape (1991)

Super rare demo from Long Beach's 213, aka Snoop Dogg, Warren G & Nate Dogg (who isn't on this song). This was recorded in 1991, back before Dre snatched Snoop from the group and put him on "Deep Cover" and made him a star. The sound is pretty much what you would expect from a demo tape recorded in '91, but it's still cool to hear a very young Snoop Dogg do his thing. He was the star of the group even back then because out of the 7 minute song he raps for about 5 minutes of it and got the big intro from Warren G.

213 aka Snoop Dogg, Warren G & Nate Dogg

Demo Tape