Pete Rock - MPC 2000 XL

Anyone who knows me I love Pete Rock for his contribution to hip hop, he's a seriously gifted producer. From his work with C.L. to Soul Survivor 1 & 2, Petestrumentals - actually I APPRECIATE IT ALL. I am happy to say that I saw him live at Jazz Cafe earlier this year , playing a phenomenal set and I'll definitely go back next time he comes.

Now I saw this clip a little while ago on youtube and admired the thought that he puts into every track. After my friend got an MPC and I watched it again I was just blown away. With my birthday coming up next month feel free to get me an MPC ;)


Enjoy!!!

Keith Murray - Magnifique (Original Rules)

I woke up this morning with the sun blazing through my windows and it made me want to listen to something that just had that chilled, summer vibe and have decided to share it with you too!

There's something Magnifique about an Erick Sermon production laced with lyrics by Mr Murray, the name of the song, just says it all.

"With the technique that I'm usin, choosin, abusin' Got more flow than D'Angelo crusin'"

Keith Murray

In memory of Baatin (Slum Village) 31/07/09

"If people could open their minds....they could see a broader perspective of hip-hop instead of categorizing it as 95-beats-per-minute, loud snares and muffled samples. . It could be anything."
Baatin (2000)

I was shocked after hearing the news yesterday that Baatin had passed away. Even though the details of the death have yet to be released, it's crazy to think that he was just 35 years old and we will never hear another lyric come from his mouth. His voice alone, set him apart from other members of Slum Village, along with his versatility and love of spirituality (not forgetting the famous Turban)


As a massive Slum Village fan, it's sad that there will never be a Reunion ,even though there were plans for the comeback album 'Villa Manifesto' with Elzhi, T3, Baatin and Illa J (Dilla's mad-talented brother). It was hard enough when Dilla died , but for another member to have passed away just makes you think how easy it is to be here one minute and gone another. The loss of these pioneers makes you grateful that music is timeless, that you can make a playlist and sit back for the day and truly appreciate the lyrics and music. That's exactly what I've been doing since I found out about Baatin and I know I'm not the only one.


It goes without saying that he had an extremely rough period when he was constantly being called 'crazy' and 'drugged up'. The biggest shock had to be his Schizophrenia diagnosis which explained why Elzhi though he "had unlawful demons" in him & why he wasn't being "normal". It didn't just stop there, as there was more trouble to come as he temporarily left the group to regain his health, it became apparent that his contract with SV had been terminated. He couldn't afford to pay his bills and subsequently lost his home and his car, which is a blow that I couldn't even comprehend.

Despite his losses, hard times and being shunned as being a Q-Tip wannabe, a crazy Spiritualist, poor lyricist and even crazy. He however always prevailed as being one of the forefathers of SV, for following on where groups like A Tribe Called Quest started, leading the way for groups like Little Brother and even more for making a name for Detroit in the hip hop game.

R.I.P. & may music still live through his spirit.

9th Wonder - True School - Westbury (12/04/09)

2 Shows in a row, it's a hard life but when it's music you love and artists you don't get to see everyday it's definitely worthwhile. Now 9th Wonder to some is merely a name, but for me he's been a fundamental part of my life for a great part of the past 6 years in particular as I really fell in love with music. If there's one thing I love about hip hop it's that it is one of the few genres that truly gives credit to more than just the performer who sings/speaks/emcee's over the MUSIC. The producer is just as appreciated, sometimes even more than the person emcee-ing. I mean there must be songs that you like moreso for the beat than the lyrical content, because I know I have loads!

With a setting of an almost haunted looking bar in Kilburn, it seemed like the last place you'd expect 9th to turn up to for his first UK show but it was definitely a perfect spot. With the likes of Uprock playing that sweet sweet hip hop, pulling out classics by Slum Village, Mobb Deep, Brand Nubian & A Tribe Called Quest there was so much going on that everytime I went to sit down I had to jump up and run back and vibe to the music to enjoy it that little bit more. They definitely had me in the mood for some more hip hop but not just any hip hop, I'm talking about 9th getting on stage and dropping tune after tune - but it didn't quite go that way. That doesn't make it any worse, if anything it made it even better, with the True School Corp stepping on stage with a whole lot of swagger and a million and one tunes - 9th wouldn't drop the tunes for a good 2 hours!

I'm not going to lie, I stood there in amazement thinking "damn this dude is too cocky, standing around sending messages on his Sidekick and he's not even playing a single track".. But as the True School Corp members started bumping their tracks one by one - there was nothing left to complain about, each of the 4 sets (hold up, it takes a little while for it to sink in that I witnessed a good few HOURS worth of the music I love!). The tracks varied from old classics such as Marvin Gaye - Got To Give It Up,Roger & Zapp - Computer Love, Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams , Mint Condition - Breakin My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes) Jodeci - Come & Talk To Me (Remix)  to more recent music such as Erykah Badu's track ; Honey (which most people aren't aware is one of his productions). It didn't stop there though, hip hop came, got played and got PULLED BACK , track by track. I mean come on now me and my boys couldn't take it when 93 'til Infinity dropped - in the words of Sway and King Tech "It's a CLASSIC" and I was hardly going to stand around twiddling my thumbs when I heard the beat drop in the mix - we turned around looked at each other with that look on our face like "we need it to go back at least one time or we just won't be able to sleep tonight" - did we not signal to 9th to take it back, 3 dudes, 1 chick and a whole lot of passion - it went back. But it didn't stop there, Verbal Intercourse dropped, The World Is Yours, T.R.O.Y., When The East Is In The House - you know what I could probably sit and write every song and be content with myself but all I'm trying to convey is the fact that it was an Ill and I mean..... ILL set. Best thing is that I couldn't have been more wrong about 9th's persona, he's anything but cocky, he's dedicated to his music, got really good vibes and was nice enough to show us guys some love after the show and take some pics.  

After seeing Pete Rock in March I fell in love with the concept of seeing producers and DJs playing live sets and whilst I loved the layout of Pete's set (chronological order of tracks that influenced him, tracks from the golden era of hiphop, tracks he produced up until now and tracks he will release in the future) - the 1 hour and a bit set seemed like a godsend but let's just say that True School have REALLY set the standards - with a minimum of 3 hours of REAL music - perfect for us eclectic souls, it's all about hip hop, soul and a whole lot more!

And the last thing I have to say or even ask is "Did I enjoy myself?" - If I didn't enjoy that night, I don't know what enjoyment is. True School brought music back from the dead, they brought the versatility and diversity that people seem to be scared of these days, whilst I love hip hop, there's so much more to music , so many genres that people shouldn't be scared to explore and if people should take home something from that night it would be to stray from the norm of being solely a "hip hop head" and becoming a truly eclectic music lover.

Forget old school , new school -  it's all about true school!

My Show Ratings:

Uprock : 10/10

True School : 10/10