Fresh Espresso - "Big or Small" [Video]


Where the ladies at?

I guess it's a P Smoov kind of day here at thatsthatish.com.  I posted the Seattle emcee/producer/singer/wonderboy's latest song with Grynch earlier.  Now, here's the official video for one of the few songs I didn't care for on Glamour "Big or Small."  Not my favorite song, but Glamour. is definitely worth checking out.

Peace, Love, & Hip Hop,
Nitpicking Noah

Fresh Espresso - "Big or Small"

Fly Gypsy - "2Step/Reasons" feat. Kanye West [Video]


I've been up on Fly Gypsy since their debut project, The Vodka & Rum Mixtape, dropped earlier this year.  The Washington, D.C. based duo is comprised of Russian-born producer Alexei Jendayi and Jamaica-born emcee Kowboy Kom and reflects a variety of influences from Kurt Cobain to The Notorious B.I.G.  Their mixtape samples lyrics from the likes of Kanye, Nas, Pac, and Lauryn Hill and places them over Alexei beats, placing them alongside Kom's lyrics (that stand up against some of the best to ever bless the mic.  Hit the jump for the "2Step/Reasons" music video, the tracklist, and download link.  Be on the lookout, their debut album Change For a Dollar drops tomorrow.

Peace, Love, & Hip Hop,
Nomadic Noah

P Smoov feat. Grynch - "You're On"

A snippet of this song was featured on P Smoov's Face Scrunchers, Vol. 1 beat tape (which I definitely suggest downloading if you haven't already), but P Smoov (Fresh Espresso, Mad Rad) just released the full version last night.  As is typical with P Smoov beats, the song provides glossy production as Grynch and Smoov trade what ends up not being the best verses I've heard from either, but I won't complain about new, free music from two of my favorite local artists.

Peace, Love, & Hip Hop,
Northbest Noah

Henok Achido - "Fly Fresh"

I was first introduced to this artist through the very dope XV remix of this song.  The instrumental was so good that I had to check out this Swedish artist (that's right...Swedish hip hop).  Production + Lyrics = a win in my book for this single off of Almaz Charming Child that he dropped back in February.  (I don't know why more artists haven't gone in over this beat).

Peace, Love, & Hip Hop,
Noah

Macklemore - "Crew Cuts" feat. Xperience (Prod. Ryan Lewis) X "I'm Free"


Some good old 206 hip hop.  Macklemore hooks up with Olympia-spitta Xperience in a Step Cousins collab on the latest track from his VS. EP with Ryan Lewis (which I've heard dropped two days ago, so I'd be eternally grateful to anyone who would show me where I can download it).  I've also included Mack's collab with XP from the 2007 album Soultree.

Peace, Love, & Hip Hop,
Noah

Xperience feat. Macklemore - "I'm Free"
Previous - Macklemore X Ryan Lewis Release Party

Lupe Fiasco - Enemy of the State: A Love Story (Mixtape)

Rest in peace to rap?
No, rest in peace to wackness.


Sorry for the drop off in posts.  I've been out of town over Thanksgiving break and have been without consistent internet access.  The next couple of posts should catch you up with what I've missed in my absence.

I've been craving some new Lupe for a while now.  He hasn't really dropped anything since his 2007 album The Cool, so when he dropped this tape Thanksgiving day he gave me something to be more than thankful for.  Lupe continues his rise through the hip hop ranks, rapping circles around other emcees' on their beats.  My personal favorite has to be his rendition of Weezy's "Fireman."  Hit the jump for tracklist/download as well as the bonus "Fire" track that I've thrown in (gotta love when one of my favorite emcees rhymes over my favorite band of all time).  Lupe's set to drop another mixtape on Christmas Day and Lasers is due early next year.

Peace, Love, & Lupe,
Noah

Juelz Santana & Yelawolf - "Mixing Up the Medicine"

I'm a huge fan of hip hop/rock collabs when they're pulled off well.  Mixtapes like The Grey Album, OJAYZIS, and Yoshima Battles the Hip-Hop Robots, have provided some of the more enjoyable listens I've had over the years.  Enter Yelawolf, a white trash hick from Gadsden, Alabama that goes against every stereotypical image of the prototypical emcee.  Yelawolf's music, as showcased by his 2008 mixtape Stereo, combines hip hop sensibilities with rock and roll attitude (and samples).  Stereo is composed entirely of Yelawolf rhyming over classic rock samples.  Definitely worth checking out for those of you who, like me, are fans of mash-ups.

Peace, Love, & Hip Hop/Rock,
Noah

Shaune Boothe - "Poor Boy"

What's a Shaune Boothe?  Interesting use of the Queen sample used for this song off of the Toronto-emcee's upcoming Hip-Hop in 3D project.  I'm still undecided on the song though.  Hit the jump for a preview of the music video as well as the video for "The Unauthorized Biography of Jimi Hendrix"

Peace, Love, & Queen,
Noah




Cosmo feat. Tunji (of Inverse) & Jaylene Clark - "Rugrats" (Prod. Budo)



The video preview for Cosmo's upcoming Pieces EP (available for free download at the end of the month, with hard copies coming in December.  I haven't heard of Cosmo, but I'll definitely download the project after hearing this track.  Tunji of Inverse does his thing on the track.

Peace, Love, & Hip Hop,
Noah

Cosmo feat. Tunji (of Inverse) & Jaylene Clark - "Rugrats" (Prod. Budo)

Macklemore X Ryan Lewis Release Party



I wish I was going home over Thanksgiving break just so I could see this, but for those of you in Seattle next weekend who are over 21 or those of you who "are over 21," I highly recommend going.

Peace, Love, & Hip Hop,
Nefarious Noah

Wordsmith - Heavy Metal Mics (Prod. DJ Bless) X "Braggin' Rights"

Wordsmith's "You Never Know" was featured on What's In Rotation, Vol. II.  Now, here are a few more tracks from the Baltimore spitter to satisfy your musical palate.  All three tracks come courtesy of Wordsmith's upcoming Overdue & Underrated mixtape (dropping December 7th).  Enjoy.

Peace, Love, & Hip Hop,
Noah

NaS feat. Lauryn Hill - "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)"

Today was the first time I'd heard this song in a while and it made my day.  Not much has to be said about it as it is a certified classic off of Nasir Jones' sophomore album (the very solid It Was Written).  It's one of my favorite songs by one of the greatest of all time and serves as a reinterpritation of John Lennon's "Imagine" over an interpolation of Kurtis Blow's song of the same name.  Classic.

Peace, Love, & NaS,
Nasty Noah

Emilio Rojas & DJ Green Lantern - The Natural


DJ Green Lantern has always been very selective about the artists he works with.  From Immortal Technique to Nas to Royce Da 5'9", The Evil Genius has exclusively worked with some of the most highly respected artists in the game.  Enter Brooklyn-via-Rochester, NY emcee Emilio Rojas.  When I saw this tape pop up on the interwebz, I knew I had to check out this artist that I had previously slept on. And I haven't been disappointed (one of the reasons it's been getting fairly heavy rotation on the iPod for the past week).

Kyle Lucas - It's Always Sunny In Marietta Preview


It's been a while since we checked in with Kyle Lucas, but the kid's been putting in work check the video for snippets of songs from It's Always Sunny In Marietta.  God!  I can't wait for this mixtape to drop.  No word on when the official release date is, but I'm kinda feeling like Cartman right now...



To hold you over, I've posted a couple KL songs.

Kyle Lucas - "Purple Ribbon Representative (Royal Flush Freestyle)"
Kyle Lucas & Captain Midnite - "The New Light" feat. Sol & Grynch
Kyle Lucas - "Sometimes I Take Chances; Sometimes I Take Pills" (prod. MW)

Beanie Sigel - "How I Can Kill Jigga Man"


(Haha at the Bleek comment)
This situation is starting to get out of hand.  Beanie manages to do everything from dishonor Cypress Hill by rhyming over their "How I Could Just Kill a Man" to embarrassing himself (smh).  Consensus is that Jay wins by default by not responding.  As for my thoughts on the situation Beans:



Beanie Sigel - "How I Can Kill Jigga Man"

What's In Rotation, Vol. II: Nice As I Am

The second installment of the series yields a few more songs than originally intended as it's been a little over half a month since the first installment.  I whittled it down as much as I felt I could without losing the integrity of the playlist.  Hit the link for the tracklist/download link.

Theophilus London - "Humdrum Town"

The first I heard of Theophilus London was at the beginning of this year when a friend shared This Charming Mixtape with me.  The Brooklyn-born emcee uses an eclectic style that sounds part hipster, part techno, part glam rock, part hip hop.  The resulting recombination of these other styles achieves a sound that is uniquely TL.  For those more traditional hip hop heads, London isn't for you, but if you like this song I highly recommend downloading This Charming Mixtape.

Peace, Love, & Hip Hop,
NYCentric Noah

Saukrates feat. Andreena Mill - "Hot Like Summer"

I'd previously only heard Saukrates on fellow Canuck Drake's "The Search" (one of the only Drizzy tracks I really like, so I'll give the dude come credit).  So far he's 2/2 in my book.

Peace, Love, & Hip Hop,
Next Up Noah

The Notorious B.I.G. & Miley Cyrus - "Party & Bullshit In The USA"

Every time I hear this song I die a little bit inside.  The reason I post this song isn't to share my misery, but rather to make a point about how much Biggie's legacy has been tainted by these posthumous collaborations with artist he never would have collaborated with if still among us (same goes for 2Pac).  It is more than fair for you to point out that Biggie was an emcee who had more mass appeal than any rapper of all time (other than perhaps the modern Jay-Z), but this remix is utterly absurd and doesn't even mash the two well.  I'll give Ms. Cyrus credit.  She is a very successful artist and "Party In the USA" appeals to the 12-year-girl inside of me as much as I would prefer to say otherwise, but Biggie wasn't purely a pop artist, and came with a message that no rapper other than 2Pac has matched (see "Juicy").  It saddens me to see people profiting off Biggie's name like this.

R.I.P.


"Party & Bullshit In The USA"

"Juicy"

The Kleptones + The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Hip-Hop Robots

Contrary to popular belief, I do listen to music other than hip hop from time to time.  The Flaming Lips happen to be one of my favorite groups and I love their 2002 Yoshima Battles the Pink Robots is one of my favorite albums of any genre (see "Do You Realize??" and "Fight Test" among others).  Imagine my pleasant surprise when I discovered this 2003 remixtape by The Kleptones of YBTPR with various hip hop artist ranging from Eminem, 50 Cent, and Dead Prez to Public Enemy, Q-Tip, and Eric B & Rakim.  I don't typically like mash-ups.  Often they aren't pulled off well and the samples/lyrics don't mesh well (see The Black & Blue Album mix of Jay-Z and Weezer), but when pulled off well, there is often nothing better in genre (see The Grey Album or anything by Mick Boogie).  This is a must download for hip hop heads or anyone who's a fan of hip hop/rock blends. Hit the link for stream/dl.

Peace, Love, & Hip-Rock,
Noah

Idle Warship + Mick Boogie - Party Robot


Talib Kweli is one of the most highly respected emcees in the game today.  Beginning with his career with Mos Def, the duo released their critically-acclaimed self-titled debut Black Star in 1998.  Kweli hasn't stopped, releasing three solo albums and two further collaboration albums with Hi-Tek and Madlib, he has garnered a reputation as an uncompromising conscious emcee (aside from an appearance on "Get 'Em High"), and even earned a shout out on Jay-Z's The Black Album:
If skills sold truth be told,
I'd probably be, lyrically Talib Kweli

Perhaps that is the reason this mixtape collaboration with DJ Mick Boogie.  The group Idle Warship, consisting of Kweli, singer Res, and singer/rapper Graph Nobel originally collaborated on Kweli's 2000 Train of Thought release and recently released their debut full-length project, Party Robot, for free on the interwebz.  Party Robot departs from Kweli's typical style and results in club-playable songs (with "The Warship" being the standout track).  Definitely a worthwhile download for you hip hop heads out there.  Hit the jump for tracklist/stream/download link.

Peace, Love, & Hip Hop,
Noah

Donny Goines - "Where Amazing Happens" (prod. 6th Sense)



Considering that it's a few weeks into the NBA season, I thought it would be applicable to post this Donny Goines song.  I don't have a team to root for (thank you Howard Schultz, Clay Bennett, David Stern, Greg Nickels...), but enjoy the video of one of my fellow Garfield alums.

Peace, Love, & Basketball,
NBA Jams Noah

Fresh Espresso - "Bedroom V1"

I posted the remix of Fresh Espresso's "Something New" with Grynch, Macklemore, and Gatsby a couple days ago.  Now hit the jump for the music video of the remix and a track they dropped the same day the video premiered.  The track is typical of the style of the group's style.  It doesn't hold much weight content-wise, but it just sounds goofy and fun.  Make sure to cop the group's debut album, Glamour.

Peace, Love, & Hip Hop,
NxNW Noah

Wiz - "I Hate College (Remix)"



This post brought to you by broslikethissite.com.  I don't know what a Samuel Adams is (aka, I couldn't find any decent pics of the Boston "rapper") so I posted the only image I could think of.  Slash, I just found out the artist's name is actually Wiz.  Personally, I think the only version of this song worth fucking with is the Luda Remix, but I'll give this one credit where credit is due.  It's certainly funny, but definitely a song for your bro friends.

Wiz - "I Hate College (Remix)"

Cypress Hill - "Insane In The Brain"



Who you tryin’ to get crazy with ése?  Don’t you know I’m loco?


Cypress Hill is one of those groups that just has that distinctive 90s sound.  Their bass-heavy beats and odd sample loops (this song samples a high-pitched trumpet for its chorus) combined with B-Real's high-pitched nasal vocals and Sen Dog's (mostly just) shouting create a unique sound that can only be attributed to the group.  Cypress Hill was the first latino hip hop group to have critical and commercial success, with four of their first five albums going at least platinum.  Cypress Hill has a huge influence on [insert your favorite hip hop artist here], but their influence extends beyond hip hop.  Their hit "How I Can Just Kill a Man" was covered by Rage Against The Machine on their Renegades album and this song has been referenced by everything from Futurama to Zoolander to The Simpsons.  Hit the jump for the download link and a bonus track that Joell Ortiz released as a tribute to fellow Latino emcee Big Pun.

Peace, Love, & Hip Hop,
WordIsBorn

PS. I re-upped all of the old download links for those of you who missed out first time around and wanted to get a few dope tracks/mixtapes.  Hit me up if you have any problems.

Grynch - "Tomorrow" feat. Scenik X "Something New Remix" w/Macklemore & Gatsby

It's been a while since I posted any Grynch, but the Seattle MC's been generating quite a buzz in the underground hip hop community.  Grynch recently released Chemistry 1.5 with four previously unreleased tracks and has steadily dropped dope songs (among them, these two of my favorite tracks out of Seattle, ever).  The first offers a hopeful look at the future, while the later sees Grynch, Macklemore, and Gatsby remix one of the better tracks on Fresh Espresso's Glamour.

Peace, Love, & Hip Hop,
WordIsBorn


"Tomorrow"

"Something New (rmx)"

K. Sparks & Pajozo - "God's Love"

Right before I'm about to finish up I was hit with this track to cap the night off right.  For those still sleeping on K-Dot, wake up.

Peace, Love, & Hip Hop,
WordIsBorn

The Incomparable Shakespeare - "Wonderwall"

This is the first I've heard of this Brooklyn emcee, but he gives a beautiful rendition of Oasis' "Wonderwall," his ode to Hip Hop.  This comes off of his upcoming The British Invasion project.

Peace, Love, & Hip Hop,
WordIsBorn


"Wonderwall"

"Hometown Glory" (feat. Adele)

Gotham Green - "Nice As I Am" feat. Freddie Gibbs












I was first introduced to Freddie Gibbs with his last mixtape, midwestgangstaboxframecadillacmuzik, and I've been sold ever since.  Few emcees in the game are able to do gangster rap like Gibbs does, weaving gritty street tales of his native Gary, Indiana.  This is the first time I've heard of Gotham Green, but I'm liking what I'm hearing...

Peace, Love, & Hip Hop,
WordIsBorn

Donny Goines - The Breakfast Club

This post is waaaay late for a mixtape that definitely deserves more shine than it received back in May.  I first gave shine to this artist a couple months ago after hearing his very dope "Dream Awake" but didn't go any further than that.  This album features ridiculous features (not that Goines needs it, he outshines everyone on the album).  Hit the jump for tracklist/download link...

Drake - Forever f. Eminem, Kanye West & Lil' Wayne (Travis Barker Remix)



I'm not that huge of a Drake fan, in fact I'm not in the least bit, but I'll give shine to Travis Barker of Blink-182 who kills the remix.

PH - Popular Demand Freestyle

So, I've changed the name of the site in order to give respect to my elders (Hip Hop 101 was evidently a previous 206 Hip Hop Blog).   The first post on the new site pays homage to an artist I posted about early on.  While this song features the Brooklyn MC going over the new Clipse Instrumental, make sure to check out the very dope My Era (No Skinny Jeans Allowed) in which he and several other artists go in over 90's instrumentals.

Peace, Love, & Hip Hop,
WordIsBorn

Young Buck - "Homecoming"

Wait, Young Buck can make decent music?  I didn't know either...

Macklemore - "Otherside" (Prod. Ryan Lewis)

















I've been waiting for tracks from Macklemore's VS. project with Ryan Lewis to start leaking for a minute now and it's been more than worth the wait.  Props to Macklemore for the Red Hot Chili Peppers sample and for finally getting some shine on 2dopeboyz.  Be sure to check The Unplanned Mixtape if you haven't already.  Hit the jump for some shots and a preview from the upcoming "The Town" music video directed by Zia Mohajerjasbi (think "Back Home," "Loyalty," "Home," or nearly any dope video that's come out of the 206 the past few years).

Previous: Macklemore - The Unplanned Mixtape



Attention: Deficit [Review]





















It is difficult for one to put to words the quality of Wale’s debut album, Attention: Deficit.  Ever since I downloaded the leak last Friday (mind you, not so I didn’t have to pay for it, I’ve already pre-ordered a copy of the album, but in order to hear it sooner), it has been in near constant rotation on my iPod despite the other very high quality recent releases such as K. Sparks’ Super Senior and Lil’ Wayne’s No Ceilings

This album doesn’t sound like the freshman debut that it is, but instead reflects the refinement of Wale’s craft that comes with the release of five critically acclaimed mixtapes over the past five years and numerous guest appearances.  For the Washington, D.C. emcee, it’s all lead to this, the culmination of all of his blood, sweat, and tears up until this point has resulted in an album that I would dare call a classic.

Wale - Prelude to Attention: Deficit [Mixtape]



In order to celebrate the release of his debut album, Attention: Deficit, Wale has been steadily dropping some of his personal favorite tracks from his entire discography of mixtapes as well as some unreleased joints and tracks that were originally on other artists projects.

I've done you the favor of compiling all of the songs that the Capital City emcee has handpicked as some of his "favs from back in the day" into one, convenient playlist (in order of the time he shared them to twitterville) and included three of my personal favorites, "90210" off of Attention: Deficit, "Letter" feat. John Mayer, which was supposed to be on the album, and "Nike Boots."

The result is a superb mixtape that ends up compiling some of the emcee's best songs progressing from the beginning of his short career to today.  Hit the jump for the tracklist/download link, and be sure to pre-order your copy of Attention: Deficit (pre-orders receive an LE autographed copy), which is hands down the best album of the year thus far.  The album drops next Tuesday, Novermber 10, 2009 (mark your calenders).

Joell Ortiz Freestyles















For those that haven't been paying attention to Joell Ortiz, the Slaughterhouse spitta has released a torrent of freestyles over some of the hottest beats in the game today.  He's demolished 50's Crime Wave beat, gone hard over Jay's "Run This Town" (along with the classic "Politics As Usual"), and the Clipse's "Popular Demand."  The latest beat to fall is Wale's "Award Tour."  I've done all of you a favor and compiled all of the freestyles onto one zip.  Hit the jump for the link.

K. Sparks & Pajozo - "Ride Wit Me (Whaddup)" feat. Julius Francis

Again, I'm sorry for lapsing on the blog, Fall Break last weekend meant not doing anything (other than visiting the gf down at Duke...) and I've been trying to catch up since.

Here's the latest song from K. Sparks.  Fresh off the release of one of the best projects I've heard all year, Super Senior, K-Dot already has his eyes on his next project Soul Food, scheduled to drop near the end of the month.  This track didn't make the final cut for the mixtape, but new K. Sparks is new K. Sparks.  Enjoy.

Peace, Love, & Hip Hop,
WordIsBorn