Sunday, November 20th, 2011 | by choorocca | No Comments »
BBNG ~ these kids are straight filthygood music artists who love Hip-Hop and are show-N-proving doing dope covers of quality Hip-Hop music. I tweeted their DOOM JazZ Medley last week and thought that was dope, but I love this Tyler, the Creator cover of “SHe” even more. You gotta love Twitter for connecting you with like minds or cats with similar tastes. I came across the video on this dope blog, FreshWaterLifestyle, who had recently followed me. Word Up to the Interwebs Networking gods.
Monday, August 1st, 2011 | by choorocca | No Comments »
Somehow, some way, I found some time to put together a mix of some dope joints that I’ve come across in the last while. Playlists are alright, but nothing moves you more than a mix of filthy tracks put together in a seamless experience. That said, mixing isn’t my top trait, but I think the track selection should make up for that.
The mix is strictly for personal consumption – fam, friends & ChooOnThis visitors – but I do have a 320kbps version that is broken into 3 sets with separate cover art for each set. If you want better sound hit me up for access to that private download page. (Yeah, I have bandwidth limitations to consider.)
Thursday, May 12th, 2011 | by choorocca | No Comments »
If you grew up with Hip-Hop in the late 80′s and through the 90′s (like I did), know that you were blessed to have lived through a massive change in (pop) global culture. Know that you have been blessed to have lived through a very special and unique time watching what some called a “Fad” evolve into a lifestyle; yes Hip-Hop, modern day urban culture.
Whether or not you grew up in the 80′s or 90′s, I’m going to assume that you’ve heard of the album Illmatic, by Nas. If you haven’t, go jump in a sewer and then Wikipedia it after. Anyway, most headz in their right mind would think that any attempt to re-do, remix or plain mess around with a mecca album like Illmatic would be career suicide. It’s either that, you got some King Kong balls, you’re plain silly, or you actually got some real mawfuhkin skills to bring to the very large, and very scrutinized Hip-Hop table.
That said, 5-blade-razor-sharp emcee from the D – Elzhi – did just that. With the release of Elmatic two days ago, Elzhi has propelled himself into a different league in the hard-knock ranks of Hip-Hop. This, in other words, is my way of saying Elmatic is a smashing success. Yeah, we’ve always regarded Elzhi as a dope emcee since back in his days with Slum, but for me, this release definitely shows and proves in a much different way. Fashawn definitely did a decent job in his attempt, but Elmatic tops that release. Just in time for the summer to roll around too. Word.
Support dope music and Hip-Hop culture, check out www.elzhi.com.
Tuesday, April 26th, 2011 | by choorocca | No Comments »
Yeah, I don’t think there’s a lot more I can say on this. I already posted a few weeks back about the Operation Doomsday Lunchbox, and how ill the designs that are coming out the Doom Camp are…you can read the post here.
Crate Diggaz, collectors, Hip-Hop aficionado’s…I’m guessing and suggesting you cop this quick – incredible stuff like this can’t last for long!
Wednesday, April 20th, 2011 | by choorocca | No Comments »
Yeah, it’s been a minute since I’ve had a chance to post – I’m in the midst of a heavy collabo with Life – but I had to take a quick sec to spread the word about, in my opinion, one of the illest NuJazZ & House selektah’s out there, Don Ray. No nothing “new”, but definitely something you have to hear and feel for yourself if you’re into the NuJazZ/Garage/House/FutureFuNk/Afro/Latin scene (how do you really classify all this anyway? F_CKIN GOOD MUSIC!).
I’ve been listening to his Podcast for a while now and it’s something I look forward to every time he drops a new set. Definitely brings me back 10+ years when this scene was fiyah! in the TDot. Yeah, I posted a trip down memory lane piece few months back about Roxy Blu, Phat Black Pussycat, Movement etc. Don Ray and the Midnight Maraudaz series takes you there again and then some – the kind of vibe that’s so dope, so thick, heavy and fresh; the type of vibe that speaks to your soul, grabs your nuts and makes you want to move (with a fine feline!). I’ve been killing the last 3 podcasts….check the first joint that leads off Midnight Maraudaz 42 – filthy.
Blessings abound! Hit up my Twitter feed this morning to see a retweet by DJ Vadim that Mr. Scruff is now on mixcloud. His first post, a ’92 hip-hop mixtape, which is testament to the fact that talented selectors, producers, just know when and what to hit you up with in this moment, now. I say this because I haven’t heard anyone post an old school mix in a minute. So yes, this mix was just what I needed right now – freshness, dopeness squeezed into a cassette tape, straight out the vintage cellar!
A warm welcome (to mixcloud) and thanks to Mr. Scruff for the dope post! (And always, props to Mixcloud.)
Monday, March 7th, 2011 | by choorocca | No Comments »
In our Digital Age, instant-everything-at-a-press-of-a-button (or touch-of-a-screen) socially networked mass culture, it’s easy to forget about the brand genius that came out of Hip-Hop street culture; Hip Hop artists, as self promoting, highly creative entrepreneurs. Russell, Diddy, Jigga, are some of the more ubiquitous larger than life Hip-Hop icons in pop culture, who figured out how to really leverage the hustle and flow format that Hip-Hop pioneers crafted way back when (well, uncle Russ was one of those pioneers). In fact, the brilliance of guerilla street branding and marketing is a cornerstone of Hip-Hop culture and testament to it’s genius and true creativity. Yes, Hip Hop, OG Brand Designer and original creator of street couture (and much, much more).
Anyway, as someone in the design business who works with and helps create brands, that’s why I love this new OPERATION: DOOMSDAY release so much. In this impersonal era of mp3 bootleg, de-value-the-hard-work-of-true-artists online culture, packaging your brand, your product, has changed dramatically – especially in the music business. “Artists” and Labels definitely do not put as much thought into how they market and package their product these days. It’s sad. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…I miss owning the record/CD; I miss the intimate association of actually owning the music physically – the extended interpretation of the artist and music through the cover art and the details of the liner notes! (although I’ve always been a “collector”).
I mean, you all know the story – it’s not that the “hard copy” product doesn’t exist anymore, it’s more of a change in consumer behaviour, driven by new systems of distribution that directs the consumer through digital channels. Yeah, and as a result, demand changes and as such, so does the product as a whole. How many record labels do you see putting out lunchbox double disc packages like Metalface Records?
That said, gigantic props to Stonesthrow for putting out artists that are still, Artists. Stonesthrow has been a fearless trendsetter in an industry that many thought was doomed. They’ve continued to forge ahead behind what they believe in and stand for – creativity and artistry – and have set the pace for other labels to try and follow suit.
And most importantly, let me give blessings and thanks to supremely gifted artists and true creators like MF Doom, who just know how to create an undeniable persona, character and unforgettable brand. I don’t think anyone has done it this well since the Wu (although Madlib is most definitely on par with Doom with his own twist on character development and brand brilliance). Yeah, Doom is the total package.
Note, this is NOT your regurgitated and downloaded a million times over web mp3 copy of Doom material you can find anywhere online, but OPERATION DOOMSDAY complete and remastered – the real deal. Available in 2/CD LUNCHBOX and 4/LP METALBOX sets, these ridiculously awesome collector’s items “each contain a 32-page lyric book and set of 10 cards with images of the Operation Doomsday MCs”. Stones Throw has an advance pre-sale for the lunchbox that started last week and starts shipping out March 28th. Who doesn’t need to transport their lunch in style while they listen to some serious, one-of-a-kind Hip Hop? Yes, it really is a perfect extension of the music, the man behind the mask, the brand, if you really think about it. The Doom camp obviously did. Yeah, Operation: Dope Brand, brand designers take notes!
Sunday, March 6th, 2011 | by choorocca | No Comments »
If you’re into JazZ, nu-JazZ, the rare groove sound, hip-hop, or any sort of jazZ influenced music, you might (or should) have heard of the jazz re:freshed movement and label. If you haven’t, well booo for you…but it’s all good, better late than never – great art, music is timeless, right?
Taken right from their site: jazz re:freshed is a contemporary music/arts movement and record label built around a weekly live music residency in the heart of west london, covering the whole spectrum of jazz and jazz-influenced music…
Toward the end of last year, jazz re:freshed (jre:) announced 5ive, a limited edition series of 5-track mini album releases from artists/bands they believe in. The first album jre: dropped was Spaven’s 5ive (Dec 06, 2010), drummer extraordinaire Richard Spaven’s long awaited first solo album.
If you don’t know, Spaven, a London native himself, spent the last half of the first decade of the new millennium gigging with everyone, from Mark de Clive Lowe, 4Hero, Jose James, GURU, The Cinematic Orchestra, (a list of other artists) and most recently Flying Lotus. Yeah, that’s some talented company. That said, check out the album, it’s a must have – straight up filthygoodness. You can get in on the JazZ re:freshed site if you’re in the UK or on itunes here. For a teaser, here’s some video footage from the Spaven’s 5ive launch party below.
It’s not hard to get lost in “the cloud” these days. Yeah, there are clouds everywhere. Blueskies, clear minds…? Not so much these days. You’ve heard of the global climate problem right? Well, bring your umbrellas online too. It’s an data thunder storm “out there” if you’re not careful. Ha, I’m just sayin…but really, don’t get lost.
Me, I’m always open to new ideas, new music, new sounds. I’ve been floating around the Mixcloud for minute now and outside of my original fave contenders – Laidback, Moovmnt – the Cloud is getting much better. Now, I’m getting lost in these musical clouds of freshness, fark.
So DJ Vadim has now joined Mixcloud – Radio Vah-Deem – which is great. His new group The Electric with Sabira Jade and Pugz is set to drop their first record this month. Most recently, he’s posted The Electric Mini-mix with guest DJ Kentaro (Ninja Tune, 2002 DMC Champ, and the first ever Asian DMC Champ btw). Anyway, the mix is short, sweet and fresh. The sound? Electro-soulful-funk, with some west-coast hip-hop swagger, a dash of DâM-FunK and a drop of that 80s synth vibe – yeah, whatever that means.
Anyway, definitely worth a spin. Feelin the tracks Beautiful (LP Version) and Sometimes, those were stand out joints off the top. And, Vadim has always been dope and it’s hard not to feel Sabira Jade’s vocals. Plus, some nice (but sparing) cuts from DJ Kentaro – it is a mini-mix after all. Based on this, the upcoming album should be deeecent. More mini-mixes coming in the next few weeks too. Turn it up! Word.
Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011 | by choorocca | No Comments »
Last year I did back flips when The Roots dropped How I Got Over. They hadn’t released a record in a minute and for me, it was a masterful production with a brilliant content…in the same ilk as most of their body of work. Toward the end of last year, John Legend and the Roots dropped Wake Up, which was alright in my opinion, but nothing that really sticks outside of the Pete Rock-C.L “Straighten it Out” remix. (It definitely didn’t live up to all the tweeting hype ?uestlove did leading up to
Anyway, 2011 is a new year. And, this new mixtape by J.Period….is straight filthygoodness. It’s free to download, but you should email interac him some dough for putting out fiyah! like this for real heads to enjoy. Seriously, amazing mixtape.
Thursday, February 17th, 2011 | by choorocca | No Comments »
Up here in Toronto, we have a thriving urban scene….well, we used to anyway, in my pre-offspring days. So, I can’t really claim that that’s the case now (coz apparently, the city ain’t the same no more!), but I do know the T-Dot used host some world class parties – commercial and underground. Yeah, Hip-Hop, House music, Dance (hall), Raves, Rock bashes…you could find it all in Toronto. Like NY just across Lake Ontario, we didn’t sleep either.
I am thankful and feel fortunate to have lived through some of the “mecca” years of music and parties in Toronto at a prime age for that steez (the same way people who lived the 70′s as teens know now that those were times the world will never see again). At one stretch – from around say….’95 to 2003, but particulary around the turn of the century, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 – the city was especially bumping. My roots will always be Hip-Hop, but the House music scene was alive (and word up, I love House music). As under-aged high schoolers, me and the crew would hit up all the “warehouse parties” around the city, so the roots of my love for House music definitely comes from that experience. And know that the scene in 2000 was different than the late 80′s early 90′s days of House. (Yes, I was also part of the 25″ wide, straight-legged double-cuff bells with my Club Monaco sweater tucked into my pants accessorized with a 3″ thick belt and brown dress shoes, phase. If you don’t know what I mean, don’t ask…it was such a wack little phase, but yet so fresh then). Anyway, the “rebirth” of electronic music took on many forms. The House music scene in Toronto around the Millennium was swish; still underground and sweaty, yet somehow sophisticated, sharp and fresh; full of soul, depth and groove. Give credit to the guys producing the music and the DJ’s blessing us with the realness.
Here’s a quick walk down memory lane for local cats…
I remember the scene started “bubbling” starting before the millennium, specifically at a small boutique-ish venue called Bauhaus (on Mercer Street). One of the main promoters (Amir), ventured west into unknown land and opened a club called Roxy Blu on a small side street called Brant. I’ve said it before, but who would have known then that a small venue on Brant would be the seed to give birth to a King i.e. the current nouveau riche all over King Street West today. If you’re from Toronto and remember King West 10-15 years ago…it was pretty desolate. The only night life I ever remember on King, west of Spadina prior to Roxy Blu, was a joint called Mockingbird, formerly 606, now Cheval. Or maybe I just didn’t notice, or maybe it didn’t matter way back when, but Roxy Blu and little street called Brant sure changed things. Yeah, look at King West now.
Yeah, so Moovmnt.com just posted a new mix on mixcloud and it brought me back. Not that this mix symbolizes all those years of filthygood music, but more so because the name “Moovmnt” brought me back and I felt like I had to share my experience. So anyway, check out this mix by Moovmnt below. Not their usual schtick according to them, but dope nonetheless…always quality, word. Check out their site on the regular – they’re always dropping niceness. You can download the mix from their site. Or follow them on mixcloud, I’m sure you’ll thank me.
Wednesday, February 16th, 2011 | by choorocca | No Comments »
Yeah, as a kid growing up, before the advent of sofa button mashing, I loved the Arcade. What kid from my generation (born in the 70′s) didn’t? It was the ultimate escapism back then. And I also loved the outdoors, family camping when was the bomb: getting dirty, climbing trees, swimming, cooking outside and messing with fire. Seriously, what human doesn’t like Fire? Yes, Arcade; Fire. Is that cheesy? Ha, think what you want, I don’t give f_ck either way.
Anyway, so Miles Bonny tweets a link to this vid, The Future of Art. A good video and a good topic of discussion, check it out. Around th 4min mark, the video goes into a segment with Vincent Moon giving his take on “The Future of Art”, the web, the explosion of information and social networking…yada yada yada. His voice-over however, is set over part of Take-Away Show #41, with Arcade Fire. (I loveThe Take-Away Shows by the way). This came out back in 2007 so it’s been a while now, but I still watched it 3 times and then decided to blog about it. Total coincidence too that I happened on this again right after Arcade Fire just won at The Grammy’s and at the Brit Awards. It’s great to see brilliant artists being recognized for producing brilliant work.
Saturday, February 12th, 2011 | by choorocca | No Comments »
That Leftto & Simbad Brownswood compilation record that dropped at the beginning of the year is still getting mad playage in the deck for me. The 1st track on CD1 – Blend feat. Delvis – blew my head back when I first heard the vocal. Hard not to feel it. Here’s a vid from a live studio session in Brusells. The stream of the vid isn’t the best, but it you can still feel the tune. Miles Bonny is featured on the record on a track with Ahu on a 74 Miles Away joint – more filthygoodness.
Tuesday, February 8th, 2011 | by choorocca | No Comments »
So yeah, here we are approaching the end of the 5th year without godDiLLa….and DiLLa Month is already in full swing. In good timing, I received my Stones Throw e-newsletter today and the first 3 entires were all about DiLLa. What I love (and want for my own) is this 28″x28″ poster you can only get from the Stones Throw online store. I’m sure it will sell out like wack emcees, so get yours now.
I’ll leave all the tribute mixes to everyone else…instead, here’s a dope collabo by The Ins and Miles Bonny – a video entitled J. Birly. The tune is a cover of the classic tune “Just Because I Really Love You”, by Jerry Butler, one of the original lead singers of the Impressions (the other lead was Curtis Mayfield). DiLLA sampled the tune for the “Luv U” beat off the Donuts album. Classic shit giving life to Immortal shit. Word.
Tuesday, February 8th, 2011 | by choorocca | No Comments »
When I first came across Suff Daddy a while back, it was one of those, “sheeeet, can’t believe I haven’t heard of this guy….who the hell is he? Where’s he from?” type of moments, simply because….well, you just don’t hear much that stands out these days. And for me, I also love the fact that we’re seeing more and more quality Hip-Hop (production) coming from Heads all over the world – testament to Hip-Hop’s ability to build bridges, it’s cultural appeal; it’s ubiquity.
Quoted from the MPM site, Suff Daddy is: “Drunken boom-bap madness with a 2010 state of mind. Dope beats, sick samples and twisted Mini-Korg licks, fueled with weed and Pilsetten. This is not your average Prenzelberg producer. Suff Deezy is on his own shit.” Yeah, recognize.
Quick notes on Suff…born, raised and resides in Germany; grew up listening to his big bro’s 90′s hip-hop collection; fave group was the Alkaholics! (“Suff” by the way means “drinking heavy” in German). For a little more info, check the Melting Pot Music (MPM) site. If you haven’t any of Suff’s music, go get some now….methinks you’re in for a treat. And, if you didn’t know, MPM also reps a list ĂĽber talented artists…like Miles Bonny (who Suff’s done some sick collabs with), getting heavy rotation in my world right now. (Man, I’m lovin Miles’ music so much, I don’t want to share, watch it spread and see him go pop! haha…yeah, I know, selfish of me).
Here’s a good teaser vid to wet your lips; excerpts from The Gin Diaries, released last year, June 2010.
And in true Suff fashion..here’s the official video for the lastest 7″ single ‘Gnac, ode to the joy of drinking cognac.
Ok…fine. I guess I can’t NOT plug some Miles Bonny after going on about his music…here’s that Suff-Miles joint off The Gin Diaries. You can cop MIles’ latest record – Incesnse and Wine – from his Bandcamp page for a mere $3. Ridiculous value for the quality of music if you ask me.
Tuesday, December 7th, 2010 | by choorocca | No Comments »
So earlier this week Stonesthrow release Madlib Medicine Show No. 11 – Low Budget High-Fi Music…the latest in Madlib’s Medicine Show series. I haven’t had a chance to get it yet and absorb, but I’m sure it’s DOPE. It’s safe to say that I’m pretty much a fan of everything that Madlib puts out.
I did want to post the artwork for the new record though because it’s supremely dope as you can see by the cover art above. And, it’s another good example of “creative process” that I recently wrote about in the Linen post below. Check out more of the art and inserts here, along with the seeing some of the process by Hit+Run – these guys do some serious work….come one, Hennessy-infused paint!?? Nice way to waste money and feign creativity, ha! I’m just kidding…I very much appreciate that Stonesthrow posts glimpses of the process Hit+Run goes through to create the artwork. Stonesthrow posted similar pics for the release of Madlib’s Medicine Show #7 – High Jazz.
What I love most about seeing the actual product – CD, packaging etc. – is the fact that it reminds me how much I loved actually collecting the tangible stuff that came with music i.e. inserts and artwork! The digital world is cool and all, but nothing beats unwrapping something tangible and getting to read liner notes. That’s real, word.
i'm sure there's a boogie down going down somewhere, but def not like it use to be! 
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