Tommy Blak (Treklife‘s DJ) posted something on Twitter about a reunion record from The Artifacts.  In turn, I shared the video of  C’mon Wit Da Git Down (1994) with the twitternets.  While listening to the track, I started thinking of another, more recent track that employed the same sample – Lo’ Sweatas, by Project Mayhem.  While debating the merits of making a Cabazon run to get my ‘lo up for the fall, I gave their video a play.

I started wondering if they released other records, or if they went out like Leaders of the New School (via Ustream, instead of YO! maybe?) and that I just didn’t catch it.  I jumped from Myspace to Twitter and ended up on Fake Shore Drive.  I’m just gonna chill out here in this steamy-hot Chi-City state of mind for a little bit, if you don’t mind.  Maybe jump on the train & pop into Jugrnaut or something.  In the mean time, give this track a spin & pop in the video on your lunch break.

Download Project Mayhem – Just Chill here.

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When Exile released Radio, I ran out to get it.  Radio is back and titled AM/FM.  Every track is remixed or features a guest vocalist, you can’t go wrong with an Exile project.  Your Summer Song, a remix featuring J. Mitchell, adds to how dope this track is.  Music video director Jerome D. takes the track to a visual level that I wasn’t expecting.  A nice country side drive in a Chevy Impala with 4 different versions of J. Mitchell, while Exile is wandering through the brush switching stations on his radio, you’ll be hooked watching it again and again.  Jerome D. does a great job visually representing a retro radio feel with the color section, screen distortion, and yes a retro radio.  Go pick up a copy of Exile Radio – AM/FM on Plug Research and the free BONUS tracks on Dirty Science.

All to often those hidden stereotypes around what’s labeled “West Coast Music/Artists” (and their sound), tend to hinder great artists from getting heard.  Step out that box, and be introduced to a talent that just happens to reside on the West Coast.  Ab-Soul.  A Carson, California resident with a unique style and creative flow brings “New Air” to the rap world. With the release of his mixtape project “Long Term” in 2008, it was known he’d be a standing presence.  Now with the 2010 mixtape release of “Long Term 2: Lifestyles of the Broke & Almost Famous”, his style continues to solidify not only his presence, but his place in the game.  Check out the latest video from Long Term 2 “Turn Me Up” featuring Kendrick Lamar, and produced by Tae Beast.  Download “Long Term 2” and keep up with Ab-Soul on Twitter.

by Nichelle

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Ab-Soul – Be A Man (prod by Tae Beast)

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Ab-Soul – Long Term 2 (prod by Curtiss King)

Saturday I was getting back into my routine which includes checking Beatminerz Radio with Jessica (i Heart Dilla) & DJ Evil Dee.  Jessica dropped a dope track from 80’s Babies, and right away I started looking them up.  I found this video to their track I Wanna Talk To You.  I was really digging how it was shot, the overlay of other video footage & stills, and it’s overall vibe.  The track itself is dope and the album, “Sonic Music”, is worth the listen.  Check it out 80’s Babies on BandCamp.  BIG thanks Jessica for playing good music.

I’ve been waiting for this since To Serve With Love.  If you don’t know about Black Spade, this is a good time to be introduced to him with his new mixtape Build and Destroy.  Once you cop it, I guarantee you will be digging up everything else Black Spade makes.  From St. Louis, Black Spade produces banging tracks and has a flow like no other. He’s made an instant classic with To Serve With Love (get it if you don’t have it).  He is a member of the super group Hawthorne Headhunters, has contributed to many projects like Starship 27 compilation, and is now here to Build and Destroy.  This mixtape is filled with crazy production by Black Spade that has a hypnotic sound that you’ll be nodding your head to.  Black Spade has gathered up equally dope guests from Coultrain to El Prez for this project.  This is one of those times I urge you to stop reading and download Black Spade – Build and Destroy NOW!  Check out Black Spade on MySpace and Twitter.  BIG thanks to Black Spade for making the music, and BIG shout to Trackstar, Union LA, & Smoking Section.

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Black Spade – Breakthrough ft. Rockwell Knuckles & Vic Mensah

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Black Spade – The Cool Out ft. El Prez & Vandalyzm

Sotu the Taveller hooked up with Nalden to make this ill video for his track HourGlass.  It tripped me out at first. I started to hear that backwards record sound on the track and the video was in forward motion.  At first there were small changes I started to notice, like the video was going to the tempo of the track, then it would switch to just the beat.  It wasn’t until I watched it a second time that I noticed half way through the video, that it goes in reverse.  Just crazy.  Check out Sotu the Traveller’s album Left on BandCamp.  Also find him on Twitter and MySpace. BIG thanks Sotu for the heads up.

Bobo Meets Rhettmattic The Mixtape will make you want to dance, happy, flashback, & drunk off percussion rhythms all in one shot.  Not sure how this idea came about, but it works.  Eric Bobo is known from Cypress Hill, and has teamed up with world famous Beat Junky and member of the Visionaries DJ Rhettmatic to bring you this eclectic mixtape of dopeness.  With samples from the Jackson’s and Rob Base to Tito Puente, you’ll be dancing before you know it.  Download Bobo Meets Rhettmattic The Mixtape on their site. BIG thanks Rhett for twitting about this one.

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Bobo & Rhettmatic – Tito

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Bobo & Rhettmatic – Dance To The Drummer

B+C did a collabo project with LA Stereo to bring you a 1 on 1 interview with House Shoes and J1 aka THE DEER.  Part 1: The Mayor of Detroit Hip Hop, an L.A. staple, producer, DJ, pop to lil House Shoes, and all around good dude… House Shoes.  He has worked with everyone from Detroit to LA, and gone around the world several times. Recently House Shoes hooked up with All City Records (from Dublin) for their 4th installment to their L.A. Series that’s out in stores now (BIG shout to Jordan Rockswell).  Check out House Shoes‘ recent appearance on SOUNDWAVES (KPFK 90.7FM), and The Makings… on Do-Over records.  BIG thanks House Shoes, J1, LA Stereo, and the HVW8. Keep your eyes open for Part 2: J1 aka THE DEER

Hopes & Dreams is a dope track.  I’m really feeling the concept and how the video was shot.  It makes me want to catch a cab with hopes of finding a girl who needs a ride.  The video fits the classic style flow of   ScholarMan.  B+C is going to keep an eye on ScholarMan, and will keep you posted.  Check out ScholarMan.com for more info.

Kendrick Lamar (EP) is another one I’ve had in heavy rotation on the ipod.  Is It Love is the track that pulls you in.  There’s a lot of good stuff coming from the West, and Kendrick Lamar is adding to the count.  Keep killin ‘em.  The first time I heard of  Jerome D was when he shot that Carter Video, and I knew it wasn’t going to be the last time.  Kendrick Lamar’s She Needs Me is another dope video from his latest projects.  Don’t sleep on Jerome D.  I’m sure you’ll be knocking on his door soon.  Download Kendrick Lamar – Kendrick Lamar (EP) on BandCamp.  BIG thanks Kendrick Lamar for making good music.

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Kendrick Lamar – Is It Love ft. Angela McCluskey

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Kendrick Lamar – Thanksgiving ft. Big Pooh