If you live in LA, you have seen this cat VerBS.  Rocking shorts, a backpack, and the signature red beanie he’ll break out a flow if the mood is right… which is most of the time you see him. VerBS is a real chill and down to earth guy.  The other day I got an email with some info and a link to The Progress Ep 2: Fuck YEa MAn, and I’ve been rocking ever since.  It’s a collection of collaborations, remixes and some unreleased material by VerBS.  SLik d, Sevenday, Versis, Nocando, Alpha MC, Cloud, Vann Clayton, and L.Scatterbrain just to name a few folks featured on The Progress Ep 2: Fuck YEa MAn.  Trust me, I would have bought this if he was selling it.  Download VerBS – The Progress Ep 2: Fuck YEa MAn on BandCamp and check him out on MySpace.  BIG thanks to VerBS for making the music. Keep at it man.

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VerBS – Sing my Song ft. Brezzy Love Joy (prod. Block Cheddar)

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VerBS – Im on ft. Nocando (prod. Thavius Beck)

Sometimes when I catch up on listening to stuff, I think everyone has it already. Well if you already have Dollabin – Styles You Can’t Afford, then this is just a refresher on how dope it is.  And Dollabin’s Styles You Can’t Afford is timeless.  It doesn’t matter how old you are, or which genre of hip hop you’re all about, this will get you grooving without a care in the world.  DJ Ian Head’s jazzy tracks with Verbal Math’s lyrical skills makes for a great combo.

“We love records. As people continue to download mp3s like eating french fries, we wanted to try and make the release of our music a memorable experience, like pulling a classic record from the crate. Similar to jazz albums of the past, we’ve added a set of liner notes, to bring a little more context to each song. We’ve also made individual songs available for download, in addition to the full album. We hope you enjoy.
–  DJ Ian Head & Verbal Math aka Dollabin

Download Dollabin – Styles You Can’t Afford here, and check out projects on Dollabin.com and EveryDayBeats.net. BIG thanks DJ Ian Head and Verbal Math for making the music.

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Dollabin – Welcome

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Dollabin – Motion

I got an email from this cat Keon Supreme, letting folks know that he was dropping his mixtape Supreme.  In the email he also expressed he had lost and gained from making this album.  Reading the email made me jump into it right away.  Knowing the effort it took to make this project come to light, I really felt the sincerity in each song.  When I got to The Flow (produced by Jansport J), I cranked up the volume.  I knew this was going to be an emotional rollercoaster when I got to Love Me Again (produced by Seven 4).  Supreme is worth the listen.  Check out Keon Supreme on Twitter and download Keon Supreme – Supreme on BandCamp.  BIG thanks Keon for the heads up.

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Keon Supreme – 24Hr Quik-E Mart ft. Kaleem “Sincere” Wasif

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Keon Supreme – In Due Time ft. Poetik Force

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.

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

Intalek & Ritchcraft did a bang up job on Lives and Vibes.  A while ago I got an email from Ritchcraft about his instrumental remix album, The Big Band Blueprint.  It was good, and figured I should keep an eye out for this cat.  Well the time has come and he’s teamed up with Intalek; a 23 year old emcee with a classic hip hop flow.  This dynamic duo throws in uptempo tracks you can rock at a party, and mix it with chill-out homie tracks making Lives and Vibes a great balance.  You can’t go wrong with checking out Lives and Vibes.  Download Intalek & Ritchcraft – Lives and Vibes on BandCamp.  BIG thanks Ritchcraft for keeping us in the know with your projects.  I looking forward to your next one.

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Intalek & Ritchcraft – Everyday Money (ft. Honey Time)

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Intalek & Ritchcraft – I’m The Man (ft. Lew Sid and Meeze)

I was checking the updates on my man Trek Life’s site, and ran across the name Richard Wright.  I recalled the name from checking Brick To Ya Face, Curtiss King’s BIG Drums Come Knockin mixtape, and Trek Life & J Bizness Rhymes Within Reason.  I had to check out #randommixtape4.0, and if Trek is talking about it…you NEED to check it out.  Richard Wright has dropped 4, yes 4 #randommixtapes, and has appeared on a gang of other tracks.  His sound is infectious and if you haven’t seen this cat in your town performing…you will.  Download Richards Wright – # RandomMixtape4.0 from BandCamp.  BIG thanks Trek for being the dope taste maker you are.  And I’ll be looking for that next Trek Life project to drop.

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Richard Wright – God Damn (Magic Man) ft. Belvi

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Richard Wright – Ignant Shit

Episode 004: Hangin Wit The Homeboys

­To start off, I have listened to this episode of Beats+Crates Radio 12 times (and counting). No joke. J1 has got a group of talented friends, and P.U.D.G.E. raised the bar on this one. P.U.D.G.E. is a DJ, emcee, a beat maker, and continues to crank out the projects. This episode of Beats+Crates Radio, Hanging Wit The Homeboys, covers the Hip Hop gamut in 53 minutes. I asked P.U.D.G.E. about the title and he answered, “Cuz I know and/or am associated wit everyone on the playlist.” I stopped for a minute and was like “wow,” and proceeded to go over the playlist a 2nd and 3rd time. Yes, that dope. P.U.D.G.E.’s got quite a few projects out now, but is getting ready to drop another in a few days on BandCamp. Keep your eye and ears open. Download Episode 004: Hangin Wit The Homeboys here. Check out P.U.D.G.E. on MySpace, Twitter, & BandCamp.  BIG thanks P.U.D.G.E. for knocking this one outta the park. Click below “continue reading” for the tracklist.

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Continue reading…

 B+C Radio: Hangin Wit The Homeboys: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The good folks at Moovmnt shot me an email about the recent project they’re sponsoring, B. Lewis’ Mercury Backburner. Every time I check out Moovmnt.com I’m always amazed by the new folks they find right in my own backyard (the West Coast).  B. Lewis is a cat from San Jose that makes these hypnotizing, laid back, head nodding beats.  Back On Track is one of the more explosive tracks that got me hooked.  I’m sure B. Lewis was getting a DâM-Funk vibe on Electrified Slider.  Overall Mercury Backburner is a good beat tape.  Play it and by the end of the day, you will have gone through it a few times.  Download B. Lewis – Mercury Backburner here.  BIG thanks to the good folks at Moovmnt for the heads up. Keep doing what you’re doing.

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B.Lewis – Ongoing

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B.Lewis – Rabbit Smoke