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)

Classic Material: BIGGIE & Jay-Z Performing "Get Money" (1996)

This is basically why we have a section called Classic Material. BIGGIE performing "Get Money" with Jay-Z as his hype man back in '96. This all happened at Ralph McDaniels birthday party. Peep his run down below.

“I wanted to get B.I.G. to host [it], but really I wanted him to perform. Jay-Z came with the whole Roc-A-Fella crew and they got on stage. I told the DJ, ‘If Biggie gets on stage, play a Biggie song and we’ll get him to perform.’ DJ Ace threw on ‘Get Money’ and the whole crowd went crazy. B.I.G. looks at me like, ‘I guess I’m supposed to perform now, right?’ Jay-Z plays hypeman to B.I.G. on ‘Get Money.’ That just rang through the hood forever.”

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)

Classic Material: Beastie Boys' Paul's Boutique Album Release Party (1989)

We're on some Beastie Boys shit right now for obvious reasons. This is some random footage from the Beastie Boys' Paul's Boutique album release party June 29th, 1989. 48+ minutes of random footage to be exact. The coolest thing about this party is that it's from the top of the Capitol Records building in Hollywood. The first part is coverage of the actual record release party. I mean they are filming the promo poster displays, a flag waving in the wind, people eating the catering, people looking at balloons, people chatting with the Beastie Boys, and basically just people hanging out a record label shindig. Even the president of Capitol Records makes a little speech. This looks like its a media only thing and probably the last thing these three wanted to be doing. The second half is an interview with the Beastie Boys about all kinds of stuff including the Paul's Boutique album, "white rapper" topic, a bunch of questions they think are stupid, and a ton of other stuff relevant to Hip-Hop in 1989.

Commercial Rap: Sprite Edition

Kurtis Blow (1986)

Sprite always had the illest rapper commercials.

Here is the first batch. Part 2 coming soon!

Kid N Play (1990)

Heavy D & The Boyz (1990)

Kriss Kross (1993)

Nas & AZ (1997)

Drake (2010)

Best Of Beastie Boys Live Mix

This came to me via Twitter from the homie Jeff at BOOOOOOOM.

I put this mix together from some of some of my favourite live performances by Beastie Boys. I wanted to include ‘Somethings Got to Give’ specifically because MCA used to always preface it by talking about non-violence so when I think of him I think of this song.Turn this up LOUD, and put two fingers in the air for MCA.R.I.P.

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)

Tribute to Adam Yauch: MCA's Opening Lines

R.I.P. MCA

Commercial Rap: R&B Edition - Mary J Blige for KFC

This will never get old.

I just wanted to make sure it got it's due shine in our COMMERCIAL RAP section.

Classic Material: Mini-Documentary On Sampling from 1989.

"What do you mean you stole my car outta my backyard and put a kit on it and was driving it around because I wasn't driving it. What do you mean by that? That's MY car! I want money for it. Regardless on how old it is." - LL Cool J

Featuring: LL Cool J, Ice T, Prince Paul, Steve Winwood, De La Soul, Tom Petty, Steve Stevens, Cold Cut, Kool Moe Dee, Ofra Haza, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Debbie Gibson, Russel Simmons, Beastie Boys, Lou Reed, bunch of lawyers and a douche host.

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)