The Message Blog

Review - Statik Selektah - 100 Proof (The Hangover)

Posted by Wally $ean On February 10, 2010

For the past three years, Massachusetts producer and DJ Statik Selektah has had the underground hip-hop scene firmly under his thumb. With a barrage of mixtapes, guest productions and a nearly annual onslaught of album releases, Statik has managed to transform his little Showoff Records imprint into a burgeoning success, helping to propel emcees like Reks and Termanology into the spotlight. Now, Mr. Spell My Name Right is back with his third studio album 100 Proof (The Hangover).

Review - Stone Arm Steady - In Search of Stoney Jackson

Posted by Wally $ean On January 25, 2010

While former Death Row reps were bemoaning the state of California hip-hop, a handful of independent-minded lyricists established a new age empire that has since defined the left coast soundscape. And although they have gotten far less shine then some of their brethren, the three man collective Strong Arm Steady's contribution to this movement is no less important. Now, Krondon, Phil Da Agony and Mitchy Slick have teamed up with California's premiere independent beatsmith Madlib for In Search of Stoney Jackson.

Review - The Clipse - Til the Casket Drops

Posted by Wally $ean On January 23, 2010

The Clipse have perhaps one of the most spotless track records in Hip-Hop. Between the flawless albums (excluding the unreleased Exclusive Audio Footage, of course) and bar-setting mixtapes, the brothers Thorton have carved a niche for themselves as two of the most lyrical emcees in recent times. Sadly, though, three times isn't the charm for Malice and Pusha T, as their latest effort Til the Casket Drops is D.O.A., save for a few glimpses of lyrical brilliance.

Review - M.O.P. - Foundation

Posted by Wally $ean On October 1, 2009

Arguably the most hardcore of all hip-hop artists to grace the scene, M.O.P., individually known as Billy Danze and Lil’ Fame aka Fizzy Womack, have secured an incredibly devoted fan base with their raucous, no holds-barred music. Despite the Brownsville duo’s numerous label setbacks, courtesy of Roc-a-Fella and G-Unit Records, fans still remain to the foundation. Now, after nine years since their last proper studio album Warriorz in 2000, the Mash-Out Posse has returned with their latest studio album Foundation.

Review - Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...II

Posted by Wally $ean On September 20, 2009

It's been five long years since Raekwon announced his plans to release the sequel to his masterpiece debut Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... in 1995. And with two previous duds under his belt, Immobilarity and The Lex Diamond Story, it seemed like CL II was going to follow suit, if at all...[yet] Cuban Linx II is an album perfectly matched for the current state of Hip-Hop. Rae middles between the old school vibes of the 5 year plan era Wu-Tang and the harder edge music of the present...Break out the blue and cream Clark's, it's time for Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...Vol. 2.

Saturday Sample - Redman/Mary Jane Girls, Bob James and Big Daddy Kane

Posted by Wally $ean On Saturday, March 13, 2010 3 comments

Yes, it is that time again - another Saturday Sample! I very much apologize for the deficit of these, I'm usually hung-the-fuck-over this time of day, but since I'm on spring break, such is not the case (weak-sauce spring break, huh?). Anyway, today's samples come from Redman's Reggie and Sermon produced '94 single "Can't Wait," off Dare Iz a Darkside. Sermon and Noble - who did do a lot of his own production back in the day with Erick - flipped three different songs for this killer cut off perhaps one of my favorite Funk Doc albums - the Mary Jane Girls' "All Night Long" (which he previously flipped in "Tonight's Da Night"), Bob James' "Caribbean Nights" and Big Daddy Kane and Biz Markie's "Just Rhymin' with Biz."

Redman - "Can't Wait"

Mary Jane Girls - "All Night Long"

Bob James- "Caribbean Nights"

Big Daddy Kane feat. Biz Markie - "Just Rhymin' with Biz"

Saturday Sample, stream | Links to this post |

Roc Marciano - "Marcberg" x "Thug's Prayer"

Posted by Wally $ean On Saturday, March 13, 2010 0 comments

Two new heaterz from Roc Marciano off his upcoming debut album Marcberg, dropping on Fat Beats this 4/20. And with Robbie from Unkut's glowing review of the album, I can't say that I'm more excited for any other project than this one. And the three cuts that have dropped ths far have been insanely fucking dope, so I'm pretty sure that this album will be that good.

Roc Marciano - "Marcberg"

Roc Marciano - "Thug's Prayer"

mp3 | Links to this post |

Hevehitta, DJ Unexpected & Talib Kweli - A Tree Grows In Brooklyn

Posted by elmattic On Friday, March 12, 2010 0 comments

I don't know about y'all but sometimes I kinda get sick of all these pre-album mixtapes. One as a sort of appetizer/prelude, OK, cool, I'm 'bout it 'bout it when it comes to a lil' amuse bouche. But this is like the 2nd, 3rd Reflection Eternal tape...can we just hear the mutter-flippin' LP already?

Yeah, but. It's Kweli + Hi-Tek. You gotta.

Get it here.

1. Tilling The Soil Intro
2. Back Again
3. Talib Speaks On His Beginnings (Interlude)
4. Thin Line (Demo)
5. The Manifesto
6. Definition Feat. Mos Def
7. Move Somethin' (DJ Unexpected Remix)
8. Respiration (Live) Feat. Mos Def
9. Outside The Lounge Freestyle
10. Get By (DJ Unexpected Remix)
11. Good Mourning (DJ Unexpected Remix)
12. Biggie Speaks On Brooklyn (Interlude)
13. The Blast (Reflection Eternal)
14. Getting My Grown Man On Feat. Little Brother (Unreleased)
15. Put Ya Stamp On It Feat. Akrobatik (Hook & Eye Remix)
16. Get 'Em High Feat. Kanye West & Common (DJ Unexpected Remix)
17. Good To You
18. Guerilla Monsoon Rap Feat. Kanye West, Black Thought & Pharoahe Monch
19. Talib Speaks On J. Dilla (Interlude)
20. History Feat. Mos Def
21. Never Been In Love Before (DJ Unexpected Remix)
22. Roll Off Me
23. Talib Speaks On His Biggest Misconception (Interlude)
24. Listen (DJ Unexpected Remix)
25. Shade 45 Freestyle
26. Take It Back Feat. Marsha Ambrosius (Unreleased)
27. Supreme Supreme Feat. Mos Def
28. Where It Started (Verse Only)
29. Just Begun (Verse Only)
30. The Tree Of Knowledge Outro

mixtape, mp3 | Links to this post |

Method Man, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah feat. Trife Diesel, Sheek Louch and Bully - "Youngtown Heist"

Posted by Wally $ean On Thursday, March 11, 2010 0 comments

Yeah...in all honesty, when I first saw this jaunt on the tracklist, I figured it was a filler weed carrier cut. And I'm not too far off with it. I mean, it's a decent enough song, but "Blue Armor" it ain't. Also the beat is too damn slow. Speed that shit up a notch or two and you've got a nice banger there.

Method Man, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah feat. Trife Diesel, Sheek Louch and Bully - "Youngtown Heist"

mp3 | Links to this post |

Roc Marciano - "Whateva, Whateva"

Posted by Wally $ean On Thursday, March 11, 2010 1 comments

Oh sheeeeit, new song from Roc Marcy called "Whateva, Whateva" off his upcoming debut solo album Marcberg, coming this 4/20...as if I needed yet another to be excited about 4/20. I have a very good feeling about this project. Roc Marcy is one of the most underrated emcees out in the game, and the UN (not the Cam version) put out a sick fuckin' album back in the day. Plus, this track just plain knocks.

Roc Marciano - "Whateva, Whateva"

mp3 | Links to this post |

Cam'ron feat. Vado - "Amber Lamps"

Posted by Wally $ean On Wednesday, March 10, 2010 0 comments

New jawnie jawn from Cam and Slime off the upcoming Boss of all Bosses 2.5. The kid Vado is such a problem it's not even funny. That is, if you happen to be Jimmy or Juelz, in which case, this is what you killed the 'Set over? An album with the "Chicken Noodle Soup" guy?.

Cam'ron feat. Vado - "Amber Lamps"

mp3 | Links to this post |

Big Boi feat. George Clinton and Too $hort - "Fo Yo Sorrows" Video

Posted by Wally $ean On Wednesday, March 10, 2010 0 comments

I was too damn excited when I first peeped this line-up last night. Big Boi? Check. Too $hort? Never been quite sold on his newer shit, but still, he's a damn legend. And George Clinton? Sold! Bring on Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty, dammit, it's been too damn long to wait for this shit.

Big Boi feat. George Clinton and Too $hort - "Fo Yo Sorrows"

video | Links to this post |

Nas & Bob Marley - Relatives Abroad

Posted by elmattic On Tuesday, March 09, 2010 1 comments

While we wait to see if the Nas/Damian Marley LP is a trainwreck, Soul Train or Soul Plane, 100 Akres has hooked up a superb 8 track mashup. Blaze one for this.

100 Akres :: Nas & Bob Marley - Relatives Abroad

mixtape, mp3, remix | Links to this post |

Rocksmith Tokyo x Donny Goines - 20X

Posted by Wally $ean On Monday, March 08, 2010 1 comments

Wait, when the fuck did this drop? I know I've been pretty much out of commission for the past week, but this is absurd. This shit ghosted on me before I could even show it any love. Regardless, here's the latest EP from the homie Donny Goines with Rocksmith Tokyo called 20X. Although I have yet to peep it in full, I know for sure that one song "No Apologies" is one of the knockingest fucking songs in a damn minute.

Rocksmith Tokyo x Donny Goines - 20X

EP, mixtape | Links to this post |

Capone-N-Noreaga feat. Imam Thug and Musaliny - "Thug Planet"

Posted by Wally $ean On Sunday, March 07, 2010 0 comments

It was a long, rough weekend, so apologies for the lack of posting. Anyway, here's a new video from 'Pone and N.O.R.E. for their QB re-interpretation of of "Planet Rock." The song was hardbody enough to begin with, but these visuals are nasty. Very good quality on these jawnies right here.

Capone-N-Noreaga feat. Imam Thug and Musaliny - "Thug Planet"