DJ PREMIER & BUMPY KNUCKLES | KOLEXXXION TOUR 2012 | SHOT CLUB | CHIASSO

DJ PREMIER & BUMPY KNUCKLES | KOLEXXXION TOUR 2012 | SHOT CLUB | CHIASSO from SAUCE PATROL on Vimeo.

RAY STRIFE: SELF-LOATHING EGOMANIAC

PSYCHO REALM “I’M GONE”

DJ Premier & Nas ’2012 SxSW’

DJ PREMIER’s TOP 25 HIP HOP ALBUMS OF 2011

Photos & Words by A. Starr | SMUTLIFE

Friday night we had the privilege of attending DJ Premier’s “Live From Headqcourterz” show on HipHopNation at the Sirius/XM stronghold as he revealed his annual Top 25 Hip Hop Albums of 2011.  As usual, his list is always beyond impressive and equally thorough.  In attendance was the usual crew of uncaged mad men that seem to coincide at a heightened level of comedic bliss – Panchi (NYGz), the Biggest G – Gordon, Keebz on the 60! (and the 20), and of course Mr. Ron Mills who we had the pleasure of meeting for the first time.

Below are some images from the festivities.  Great show P!!!  And much love for the SMUTLIFE plug fellas!!!  Support REAL HIP HOP being done properly!!!

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Troubleneck Brothers “Back To The Hip Hop”

Lil’ Kim’s ‘Black Friday’ Mixtape Review

Review by Kate Kant | Smutlife

Lil’ Kim hasn’t released an album since before her yearlong jail sentence in 2005. Known for her no-bullshit, aggressive attitude and previously convicted of conspiracy, it only seems fitting that her return to the rap game would be spurred by the threat of a new female talent. Nicki Minaj, who has claimed Lil’ Kim as one of her influences, has quickly climbed to the top and Lil’ Kim is quite candid about her resentment.

 

As if the title weren’t pointed enough (Nicki Minaj’s debut is called Pink Friday), almost every single song on the mixtape is blatantly addressing her jealousy towards the success of the younger woman. The album opens with a well-stated introduction: “Shit is all different now, man. Back then they used to pay homage for paving the way, for making it easier to do what they do now. But what they do now; they run their mouths. But you know what? Actions speak louder than words.” Read more

Doap Nixon: Raw and Uncut

Words by Steve DiLodovico | Smutlife

Doap Nixon is the quintessential Philly MC: rough and gritty with a propensity for uninhibited realism and an ability to murder the English language with the sickest slang. Doap is a Pharaoh; part of a collective of heavy-hitters like Vinnie Paz, Celph Titled, Apathy, Esoteric, Reef the Lost Cauze, Jus Allah and a cadre of fire-breathing MCs and murderous producers. Doap specializes in that special, Illadelph brand of Murder Music. Fight Music. He is driven and, quite simply, kid knows no other way than to bring the real and let the fallout rest where it may.

To many uneducated Hip Hop fans, Doap is an unknown factor, and it is easy to consider him a new artist. Not true. Kid’s been on his grind for years and, in doing so, has honed a smooth craft that is naturally and organically steeped in realism and brutal truth. Gray Poupon, he’s second proper full-length release is the realization and culmination of years of work. The album has existed, in one form or another, for a few years now. It is only due to the same, tired old legal bullshit from shady record labels that Gray Poupon is just now seeing the light of day. It’s been a long, sometimes arduous journey for Doap, but no obstacle has stopped him. In fact, kid is so motivated that when I caught up with him he was already in the lab constructed his next round of bangers. You can’t hold him down. Read more

Skam Dust: Corona Warrior

Words & Interview by Steve DiLodovico | Smutlife

Skam Dust. You know that kid; the one that runs with them legendary DMS All-Stars. He’s part of a cast of grimy MCs and Hardcore royalty like the Shotblockers, Madball, Danny Diablo AKA Lord Ezec. Skam Dust rose from the womb of Skarhead with a background forged in the hardest NYHC and a throat full of shrapnel. Skam only recognizes real: you can hear it in his verses and you can feel it in his voice. He is New York to the core: Corona, Queens: Spaghetti Park to be exact. It’s the kind of stomping ground that breeds Legends. Read more

Snowgoons are gettin’ down to business – as usual.

For over a decade now, swift advancements in technology have taken a devastating toll on the great number of major record labels and associated media groups that once ran rampant around the globe.  As this happened, many talented yet commercially unmarketable artists began to seek alternative avenues to get themselves recognized by the masses.  As the major labels began to dissolve,  more and more execs began to revamp and restructure their agenda on a more independent tip.

Enter BabyGrande Records - one of the more respected ‘indy’ labels in the realm of underground hip hop, that was formed back in 2003 by Chuck Wilson who previously headed A&R at Priority Records. With the insemination of BabyGrande, he began to build an impressive roster of high caliber lyricists and a handful of super talented producers. Read more

Throwback Thursday

O.C. w/Yvette Michele  ‘My World/Far From Yours’.  The 1997 release of his second album ‘Jewelz’ jam packed with a flawless productions backed by producers such as DJ Premier, Buckwild, Da Beatminerz, Show Biz and Lord Finese.  It was an instant classic without a doubt.  This music video directed by Nick Quested was shot in St. Lucia back in the day (summer of 97) when record labels actually had budgets to do something a little different and unique.  If you don’t have ‘Jewelz’ you are missing out on a great album from top to bottom with an overall production that is superb.

Necro Wants You to Die!

Words by Steve DiLodovico

Necro’s been in it for a minute. Widely recognized as one of the dopest producers of his generation, the kid has been dropping sickening jewels on a consistent basis for years now. As a producer he is untouchable: his dark, hypnotic beats have been fundamental bangers that are perfectly constructed for his distinctive style of seriously disturbed lyrical ability. The Brooklyn-born producer/rapper has also produced a string of gory hits for the legendary Non Phixion, as well as Q-Unique, Mr. Hyde and countless others over the years but it is his own solo work that truly defines him. Necro is one of those cats that can do just about anything: rap, produce, direct, act… he’s been the head of his own independent label Psycho+Logical records for a few years and oversees just about every aspect of running a label. In 2005 he dropped a porn video: The Sexorcist and has constantly pushed the envelope with a slew of records that most mainstream heads wouldn’t even touch. Necro music is definitely not for the faint of heart: it’s the kind of shit that goes to the grimy black core of the darkside of human nature. It’s fight music: all blood and guts and gore that connects with misfits, freaks and sociopaths. Necro fans love his shit, and, in turn, they are some of most loyal heads any artist has ever enjoyed. But, beyond the gory imagery and confrontational lyrics there is true artistry in what Necro does: his skills are unsurpassed and with all the many talents the kid has it’s amazing to see just how far he has come. I had a chance to kick it with Necro about a lot of things: the nature of the business, music, film, porn and the very sad and unfortunate passing of one of hip-hop’s most recognizable icons: Uncle Howie. Read more

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