Kriswontwo: Boondigga Beat Challenge

I have mad respect for Kriswontwo, the mad Danish producer who calls Copenhagen home. I was chatting it up a bit with him earlier today and he alerted me to his latest video where he was challenged by the Boondigga crew to do a track sampling all three randomly selected records from a few stacks while blindfolded. The results....a banger as usual. Check out the video, then leave a comment on the Youtube page to give a shout. Or, follow Kriswontwo on Twitter.

DJ Lord x 2MP: World Citizen [Official Video]

The mission; operation snatch-back. With the focus shifting back to the DJ, which is the foundation of Hip-Hop, DJ Lord has dropped a new sound bombing upon us from the vaults of the newly launched Rap Central Station website that has been around for less than a year. "World Citizen" is the latest single from Lord's Eat The Rat solo debut LP that features 2MP (2 Much Posse). This is a serious attack on the wack with razor sharp cuts, verbal assaults, and a critical beatdown through production. If you have never witnessed DJ Lord on stage with Public Enemy or his solo DJ sets, brother is a one man show that sends crowds into frenzies.

Happy Birthday: Nina Simone

Today we pay tribute to a legend. Her name is Nina Simone, known also as the "High Priestess of Soul". A couple of years ago I put together a compilation of her tunes to help tell a story as she is known to do. It will make you dance, shout, and hit you deep down to your core.


Click to stream/download.

David Sha: The Ugly Mixtape

If you want to book a multidimensional person for your live show or studio project, then David Sha is the man. A long time friend of mine and another very consistent brother who has the flow of an emcee, the soulfulness and chops of a gifted singer, an excellent poet and songwriter, and when he steps on stage and is really to take you to that higher level, there's absolutely no way you can deny it.

As of recent, he has dropped his long-awaited UGLY Mixtape that is chock full of banger after banger. As I mention on Facebook, listening to it did what it describes itself as, made me ugly from twisting up my face and my neck hurting from all the head-nod biz. Just as impressive as Mr. Sha is, so is the co-stars of this project. On hand is Austin based band Riders Against The Storm (RAS), and Houston emcees K-Rino and EQuality. When you purchase the mixtape, you will get full versions of each song unmixed, as well as the soundbombing mixed version by DJ Youl. Download and get ready to rumble!

E.Classic: A Few From The Stash Vol. 3

I just caught wind of the beats dropped last month by Houston producer E.Classic, who has done tracks for a few local groups. I really like how this guy is consistent with the tunes he churns out, which makes him one who can rumble with the best of them. It was sort of hard to pick one tune out of this batch, but since night is upon us, I thought I would go with a groove that's fitting.

Fatima: Biggest Joke of All [Official Video]

It was so pleasant to hear Fatima when I first laid ears on her voice on Shafiq Husayn's Shafiq En' A-Free-Ka album from 2009. Since that time, i've been hooked. This past summer she released her highly anticipated debut LP Yellow Memories that enlists some great producers, including Eglo Records label head Floating Points. Speaking of Points, here is the latest video of "Biggest Joke of All" that he produced the track for.

Modern Groove Assembly: Sy Smith Mixtape

Today is the birthday of songstress Sy Smith and the Modern Groove Assembly, led by Steve Catanzaro has done a wonderful tribute to this gifted singer-songwriter. I had the pleasure of meeting her a couple of years ago after seeing her perform with The Foreign Exchange. This beautiful lady has the spirit to match. Indulge in the mix and purchase her catalog. Plenty of goodies to satisfy your soul.

Turntable Tuesdays: DJ Kool Emdee: The Hop

One of my latest all Hip-Hop mixes that features some local talent and other well known indie acts. A few classics from the 1990s are mixed in as well. Listen, enjoy, and be sure to look the artists up. There's a complete tracklist to accompany the mix. Enjoy!

The Hop by Djkoolemdee on Mixcloud

Turntable Tuesdays: Nickodemus: WONDERWORLD: 10 Years Of Painting Outside The Lines Mix

DJ/Producer Nickodemus is celebrating 10 years since his debut LP Endangered Species on his own Brooklyn based Wonderwheel Recordings label. To get things kicked off, he has uploaded a mix of some of his classic tunes that are on his upcoming CD that will also be available as a digital download and cassette. When you purchase, you are getting the mix and 25 original and remixes of unmixed tracks from his catalog. You can pre-order via the Wonderwheel Bandcamp page.

DJ Kool Emdee: LOVE [repost]

For all those celebrating Valentine's Day here stateside, here is a compilation of ballads I put together last year to help make things a little more cozy. Sit back, relax, and let the music be your guide. Don't forget, this is not limited to just one day.

LOVE by Djkoolemdee on Mixcloud

Get a free download of this via The Record Realm website.

Friday Flashback: Groove Collective: Lift Off

Since it's the birthday of former band member Nappy G, I thought it's only fitting to have this week's flashback to feature a song from Groove Collective, of which he played percussion, rapped, and helped write some of the band's material. My favorite tune from them is "Lift Off", a feel good groove from their 1996 album titled We The People.

Happy Birthday: Nappy G

Hats off as we wish Brooklyn producer, DJ, and musician Nappy G a very happy birthday. He's one of the founding members and songwriters of the legendary and pioneering acid jazz band, Groove Collective, as well as half of the sure-shot party rockers called Turntables On The Hudson. A couple of hours ago he dropped a new mix on us just in time for Valentine's Day. Listen to the mix and drop him some well wishes.

Miss Baby Sol: The Future ft. Speech Debelle

For awhile, I have been wondering when Miss Baby Sol was planning to release her own album after a string of singles and appearances on other projects. That time is drawing near. An official release date for her debut An Inconvenient Truth is still to be determined, however, the new single "The Future" is more than enough to tie you over. While using her own brand of soul to address the ills of the present, her vocal partner on the track, Mercury Prize winning rapper Speech Debelle laces it with a bit of hip-hop. Last, but not least, we have Nutty P on production blending jazz and rock elements with a pop feel over hard hitting samples.

Follow Baby Sol on Soundcloud to get a limited download of "The Future" for free on February 17th. Full lyrics to the song are posted on her Youtube channel.

Truth Universal: Get It [Official Video]

The universal soldier of truth, known by Truth Universal, is a New Orleans based emcee who, for many years, is not one to sway to current trends lyrically. Versatile in style, he's one that continues to use Hip-Hop as a weapon against oppression and lies. In 2013 he released an album titled Invent The Future as his magnum opus. To accompany the album, he has a music video that was uploaded in January for his single "Get It".

Omar: Dancing (K15 Remix)

In my never ending thirst for music, I came across the music of K15 in my usual quest. This guy is brilliant, to put it mildly. He claims that he was going through a musical block when he came across the "Dancing" a capella done by London soul legend Omar. Originally, the track was produced by Zed Bias, but K15 gave his share of the royal treatment by putting his own signature to the vocals. If music blocks are like this, I can only imagine the sounds that come out when his brain is in high gear. When you drop by his page, say thanks for the download.

Daba Makourejah: Bamba

Since we kicked things off on an inspirational note, I'd like to keep in the flow of things and post some positive vibrations from Daba Makourejah, a.k.a. Sista Daba, a multi-lingual singer, composer and musician based in Dakar, Senegal. Although I don't know what she's saying in her lyrics, I can still relate through the music. "Bamba" is the first official 12 inch release from Amoul Bayi Records based in France. IRIE!

Dannie Walker: We Are O.N.E.

For your early morning riser, we present the brand new single "We Are O.N.E." from Houston's own Dannie Walker, a very talented lady who's on her way to carving her name into the memories of those who take in her message. With Jett I. Masstyr on production, the track borrows from the 1960s style swing of popular R&B tunes, overlaid with the soothing vocals of Dannie reminding us to keep on having love and value in ourselves, then the rest will be easy to spread to others. With the way things have been lately, this is a song that's needed for the people to help keep the inspiration going. "Keep your head to the sky!"

Da U.A: My Life/Rap Is Not Pop

Texas hip-hop is as real as the founding city of New York. Da U.A, consisting of Derrick Parramore and Tyrone Bolden (Da Beat Digga), are proven representatives of the culture though their lyricism, music, and performances, in most cases booking DJs to help rock their sets in true fashion. I had the great privilege of DJing for them a few months back when they came down to perform at Underground Merger. If the flame was dim, these guys helped to bring back a raging inferno. I was on a musical high for weeks. As the saying goes; "You just had to be there."

As of lately, Da U.A has dropped some new music for us to get hype to. "My Life" that features the vocals of Latasha P., and a solo joint from P Dot Flo titled "Rap Is Not Pop", borrowing from a line from A Tribe Called Quest's "Check The Rhime". Both are gifts courtesy of J Soul Entertainment. Enjoy!





Here's footage from their Underground Merger performance with me on the wheels spinning their tracks.

Floating Points: Wires

Getting you reconnected through "Wires", the limited edition 12 inch single that was released in 2013, but also appeared on the Eglo 4 Year Anniversary Compilation that dropped last year. In case you missed getting the compilation, there are 23 solid tracks that won't disappoint. Get it!

TAJ: The Astral Journey

Tonight we're going to take a Jazz journey through space with the sounds of a Singapore based contemporary jazz band by the name of TAJ, with members Tim de Cotta (bass/vocals), Audrey Tengkey (piano, keys and synth) and Teo Jia Rong (drums). Their debut EP The Astral Journey is out now via the Darker Than Wax independent label.

Happy Birthday: Nujabes

Happy Birthday to Japanese producer and DJ Jun Seba (February 7, 1974 – February 26, 2010), known to his fans as Nujabes, the spelling of his birth name in reverse. Seba was widely known for blending Jazz elements to Hip-Hop beats and collaborating with several artists from Japan and the U.S. He was the owner of two record stores, T Records and Guinness Records and founder of the independent label Hydeout Productions.



If you're in Japan, be sure to check out the tribute to Nujabes coming up later this month.

Happy Birthday: James "J-Dilla" Yancey

Happy Birthday to Detroit native James "J-Dilla" Yancey (February 7, 1974 – February 10, 2006), the producer, rapper, and DJ, who most would agree, had the greatest hands to touch an Akai MPC. Many of us who are familiar with him already know his legacy. Being one of the most influential in Hip-Hop history, that same legacy will have Dilla enshrined in the Smithsonian as part of the collection at the National Museum of African American History & Culture. Dilla’s custom-made Mini Moog Voyager synthesizer and Akai MPC 3000 Limited Edition have been donated to the museum by his mother, Maureen Yancey. They will be part of the “Musical Crossroads” exhibit when the museum opens in 2016.

The following is a rare interview of J-Dilla and Dank of Frank n' Dank minutes after they touched down in Finland. Dilla gave a rundown of upcoming projects and shouts out to people who were a part of those projects. A little humor was tossed in between.


Some of you may have heard about the massive DJ set J-Dilla did with Dank on the mic in Malmoe, Sweden at the Inkonst arts center. If you haven't, here's the full set for you to enjoy.

J-Dilla + Dank Live at Inkonst, Jan. 25, 2003 by Djkoolemdee on Mixcloud

Friday Flashback: Platinum Pied Pipers: Your Day Is Done

The year was 2005 when Detroit based Hip-Hop and Soul producers Platinum Pied Pipers [consisting of Wajeed and Saadiq] released their highly praised debut album titled Triple P. Other than very solid production in classic Detroit fashion, the album glowed even brighter with vocal performances from indie acts Jay Dee/J-Dilla, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Tiombe Lockhart, Steve Spacek, Ta'Raach, Sa-Ra Creative Partners, and more.

Happy Birthday: Bob Marley

Today would have been the 70th birthday of legendary music icon Robert "Bob" Marley, the "King of Reggae". Although gone in physical form, his spirit and music lives on in the hearts and minds of many. This weekend in Houston there will be festivities from the 1st Fridays crew with their Shades of Red party on tonight, and the Bob Marley Wear Affair that will feature the veteran sounds of Everton Blender on tomorrow. Support and enjoy!

Last Day To Qualify for DERRICK MAY tickets! [HOUSTON]

Sending you all the final reminder that today is the last day to qualify to win tickets to see House/Techno pioneer Derrick May for his Houston show on Friday, February 13th. For more details, go here. Good Luck!

CHUCK D, DMC, MC SERCH, PMD, TERMINATOR X, & DJ ECLIPSE – HELLRAISERS (PRODUCED BY DJ BIG KO)

We're going back to the future with the new track and music video featuring Hip-Hop legends DMC of Run-DMC, Chuck D and Terminator X of Public Enemy, PMD of EPMD, and MC Search of 3rd Bass. On the cuts is DJ Eclipse of Non Phixion over the production of DJ Big KO. Not only is this an important record that's creating a new path for history, this is also a bold statement that true Hip-Hop is not dead. It's time for the mockery to move aside to make way for the "Hell Raisers".

J. Vibes: Late Night Soul

Danish producer J. Vibes drops a fantastic freebie on us titled Late Night Soul via Expansions Collective. Over the years he has released a number of hand crafted tunes that continue the glory of the "boom-bap" sound. Download, enjoy, and don't forget to show your monetary support as well.

Turntable Tuesdays: Brotha Onaci: Trans∆itions

Each Tuesday, we pay homage to some of the mixmasters in the DJ world who have good ears for music and flare on the wheels. "Turntable Liberationist" Brotha Onaci is one of those who displays skill and helps to keep me on my toes, introducing me to more great music. Here's what he had to say to describe his Trans∆itions: A Summer-Fall Mixtape;

This mix is about the tension and harmony between seasons, facets of the self, and the continuum of existence. The music featured here moves across a variety of (sub)genres and styles to highlight the melancholy, joy, love, rejection, and other emotions that compete for our total attention at any given moment. More importantly, these songs transport listeners across state-constructed borders and lifts them beyond the gravitational pull of planets. The tracks work together to obliterate time and space as we know it, thanks to the various vessels through which this audio communication was gifted to us.

Several inspirational people transitioned back to the spiritual essence during the long process of curating this mix. Some were personal friends and acquaintances. Others existed outside of my personal space. All taught me some important lessons about humanity and provided glimpses of how we can work together to heal it from its current ills. I dedicate this mix to them, as well as to my people who still travel with me in their earthly form. Some of you just arrived. Others have been here for a few years. I love and cherish you all.

Trans∆itions by Brotha Onaci on Mixcloud