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HHHThat’s my homie,
No matter what anyone tells you, we live in a world based almost entirely on co-signs.
Whether you’re looking for a job at a grocery store, shopping for a record deal, or getting into the mob, someone needs to vouch for you. Someone always needs to be there co-signing you as you try and claw your way up the elevator shaft to the Penthouse. And although it’s unfortunate, it’s life as we know it and it’s something we have to learn to work like any other tool or utensil.
So today, I’d like to demonstrate the power of the co-sign.
AYAH
Toronto-based vocalist Ayah has come up quick in her time. At the eager age of 22, she has already started to create waves through Canada with a string of mixtapes and guestspots that have garnered her a budding and loyal following. However, despite her smooth voice and well intentioned collaborations, nothing has been more important to her growth in Canada than her success in the Southern half of North America.
Having caught the ear of Touch of Jazz founder, the legendary DJ Jazzy Jeff, her brand new album, 4:15 is now not only completely executive produced by the Hip-Hop Icon, but also the launching pad from which she is poised to do some serious damage for the home team.
Here’s the first single entitled ‘In my Lifetime’.
MOS THOUGHT & BLACK DEF.
Okay, so truthfully, neither of these dudes need co-signs. Both are supremely talented, have cred and co-signs coming out the A, and are arguably in the all-time TOP 5. That being said, it’s always cool to get your hip-hop nerd on and see a genuine co-signing moment.
Brought to you by the same people who gave you the Def & DOOM footage, I give you the Mighty Mos Def and the incomparable Black Thought.
HEART OF THE HOUSE
This last example of co-signage is one I hold close to my heart.
As some of you may or may not know, I’m the head of the Music Division over at PPF House as well as an artist on the Toronto-based independent label. We’ve technically been around for 10 years but I didn’t really start contributing until about the Winter of 2004 and our Music Division was only recently launched this past February. Before then, it was held together by the work of two brothers, Tim and Howie Shia. Both established artists in their own fields (Audio and Visual respectively), if one were to compile a list of (what would be considered MAJOR) accolades from these two, they would have something comparable to one of those new compact phone books they’ve been sending out.
Well now, to add to that phonebook (you can check out more from that list by clicking the image above) Howie, who just recently finished doing a video for Mush Recording Artist, Deru (of Avatar fame — the cartoon not the James Cameron film) recently caught the eye of none other than the Louis Vutton Don himself, Kanye West. And although it was just a blog, I appreciate the love cause based off recent events, it would seem that Mr. West is quite passionate about his videos.
Anyway, here’s the flick:
BLAKROC EPISODE #4 ft. RZA
I’m losing my mind. This is gonna be RIDICULOUS!
Be well world.
Triple
www.ppfhouse.com
HHHTrick or Treaters,
In a very special Halloween edition of HHHT, I give you a bucketful of tricks and a handful of treats; A few scares and plenty to calm that sweet tooth of yours.
THE WU
Ghost Stories with Ghostface Killah. – I could listen to this man speak for hours.
The Wu-Massacre – I wasn’t lyin, here they come.
ROC BOTTOM
Some thought the day would never come, and well to many, this truly is a nightmare. After years of speculation, the silence has officially been broken. Beans and Jay are no more.
BEANIE SIGEL – WHAT YOU TALKIN BOUT (AVERAGE CAT) — Jay Diss
Jay Responds.
*TREAT*
Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind (Dir. by Hype Williams)
SCREWFACE TREATS!!!
This one is strictly for my T.O. heads.
It’s been a long time coming and something that I, as well as many many others have waited years for. We got singles. We got demos. We got guestspots. And thankfully we got Big Black Lincoln. But now, after what seemed to be an endless strings of delays and setbacks, word is Saukrates is on his way back with Season One, and it’s coming soon! Here comes the first street single off the record featuring Andreena Mill.
SAUKRATES – HOT LIKE SUMMER ft. ANDREENA MILL
BLAKROC EPISODE #3 ft. MOS DEF & JIM JONES
Awesome. Just awesome.
Get ta trickin folk.
Be scared world.
Triple.
www.ppfhouse.com
HHHTime for some akshun,
Today’s post is for people who like Rap. Period. That’s it. You like bars? You like flows? You like lyrics that make you go ooooh? Then this is for you. If you said no to any of these questions, leave now.
I’ve been trying to figure out how to post this ish yesterday exactly one minute after it was posted! Unfortunately my code-illiterate ass just couldn’t get it to embed. Thankfully, as expected, someone Youtube‘d it and we’re back in business.
THE CYPHER
Yesterday the annual shamefest known as the BET hip-hop awards took place and well, as expected, it was a useless piece of goonery crap that only helped to ensure that those who don’t like hip-hop stay hating. That being said, this award show has provided us with 1 good thing every year and it’s those damn (Rap nerd wet dreams - ‘What if…’) Cyphers. Last years dopest cypher featured Juelz Santana, Fabolous, Ace Hood (Who surprisingly rocked it even though he can’t write a song worth his life) and Jadakiss running a mean anchor. Well, I’m happy to say that this years top cypher nearly made me wet myself. And if it doesn’t make you at least kegal a couple dozen times, then you lied about one of the above questions.
No more talkin. RAP! This one’s gonna have people arguin for a while….
The other 2 cyphers (that were decent, but nowhere near the one above) can be found below:
Cypher #2 ft. Wale, Nipsy Hussle, Gsan & KRS-One
Cypher #3 ft. Nicki Minaj, Buckshot, Crown Royyal & Joe Budden (Budden’s a problem!)
A & E
It seems like the thing to do these days for rappers in their mid-30’s is to find another rapper in their mid-30’s who roughly holds the same stature and combine to make a group. Canibus and Keith Murray. Del the Funky Homosapien and Tame One. DJ Quik and Kurupt. And even though it would seem like all of these would be dope, or at very least entertaining, only the Quik and Kurupt really popped for me (and I’m a Del fan to the core). Well we have another pairing for you and this time, it might just work out. 2 people that have influenced a LOT of your favorite rappers but rarely ever get their mention, ladies and gents, I give you A & E (a.k.a. Masta Ace and Edo G.)
**sidenote — for all you Eminem fans, if you didn’t realize that Em started as a Masta Ace clone you better go do your research. Em’s even copped to it himself.**
MASTA ACE & EDO. G – EI8HT IS ENOUGH
BLAKROC EPISODE #2 ft. Mos Def
We proceed with part 2. Mos hits the studio and the world implodes.
HIP HOP HISTORY w/ RAKIM
An interview 24/7 Hip Hop did with the Teflon Don breaking down the significance of the number 7 in his life, his falling out with Eric B., and a wild story involving Kool G. Rap getting snuffed and Eric B. riding a sheep skin.
BONUS
No MPFrees? Now how could I do that to you. This one’s for the CAPtain to get his blood pumpin.
NEW MADVILLAIN B*TCHES! Courtesy the legendary J-Rocc from the World Famous Beat Junkies.
Click the Metal Face and get your tease.
Phew!
Triple.
www.ppfhouse.com
HHHThis is it,
Back in 2003, I had the privilege of seeing the legendary DJ Jazzy Jeff spin in London for my very first time. Probably one of the finest and most cohesive hip-hop sets that has ever been put together, he somehow linked Run DMC to Paul Wall and everything in between all in a matter of 30 minutes without a single wasted beat. Following this chaotic half hour, he then went to another floor and rocked 2 and a half hours of the best soulful house I’d ever heard. To sum it up, Jazz is a beast.
Well, he’s back with a mixtape dedicated to Late King of Pop, and I assure you, this is on some serious hardcore repeat shit. Album art and link below.
DJ JAZZY JEFF presents HE’S THE KING, I’M THE DJ (mixtape)
And as promised, we continue with the 48 hours episodes as well as the Blakroc recording sessions. Get live.
48 HOURS — JADAKISS (part 2 & 3)
BLAKROC – WEBISODE 1 feat. MOS DEF
More Blakroc and 48 hrs next blog. Stay tuned.
Be well World.
Triple
www.ppfhouse.com
HHHTime Travelers,
With the 4th quarter upon us and several projects from tons of amazing people still awaiting release, HHHT gets into a few in particular that we’re eye-spyin’ for.
TIL THE CASKET DROPS
Oh Clipse, this one better be good.
I’ve said this before on this blog, but I’ll reiterate one more time. I’m a huge Clipse fan. Really and truly I am. Like, I’ve gone on record as saying that as far as Street lyricists are concerned, they’re the closest thing we’ve had to Wu-Tang in a long long time. HOWEVER, that last Re-Up gang record was not only unfocused in terms of production and direction, but lyrically they were barely punching their way out of that proverbial wet paper bag (see ‘Fast Life’ produced by Scott Storch). And to that end…I’m scared. Nonetheless, I’ve heard 3 cuts off the album thus far and have been relatively content. Perhaps because they’ve all been Neptunes beats and that’s, at the end of the day, what I think the Clipse should sound like. Also, Mr. ‘Bison in his studio’, the legendary Rick Rubin is overseeing this album so I can only hope that means any loose ends the Star Trak boys miss, Rick’s holdin down. Anyway, here’s a new cut featuring Pharrell and the former Dipset General, Cam’ron, whaddya think?
THE CLIPSE – POPULAR DEMAND (POPEYE’S) ft. PHARRELL & CAM’RON
JACK & BROOK
Jack Davey & Brook D’Leau, better known as J*Davey have been a favorite group of mine ever since I saw them perform at this little spot in Toronto some years back.
A clash of about a half dozen genres in one, they were just starting to get their buzz in the scene when the Roots, who obviously felt they were of a particular quality decided to bring them on the Beginner’s Guide… tour. Unfortunately for them, when they reached Toronto, the type of music they did matched with the venue they were performing at and the audience that was in attendance made for a vinegar/oil type of situation as these 2 were completely drowned out with Boo’s for damn near the entirety of their set. However, unlike most acts that would’ve packed it up mid-way through the shit storm, they persevered through and finished the set graciously. Score 1 for J*Davey. Then, a smart move on their part, they booked a show the next night here in a much smaller club and they absolutely demolished. They then went on to feature on the Roots next record Game Theory (which is in IMO their best record to date), the late great J Dilla’s Dilla Loves Japan EP, and release 2 EP’s to critical acclaim. Now, after being picked up by Warner, their preparing to drop their first full length (apparently) soon. In the meantime, here’s some new ish.
J* DAVEY – END OF YOUR WORLD (MAMA’S BACK)
BLAKROC
I’m not gonna say ANYTHING about this. Just watch the video below and digest it yourself cause I’m still convulsing.
I’ll be posting webisodes from the recording sessions on a regular from now on in. GET FAMILIAR!
**Bonus**
This is kinda old news but for those who don’t know…Allhiphop.com and Jumpoff.TV have been doing a series called ‘48 Hours’ where they follow major artists on the first 2 days of releasing a brand new album. Thus far, the people they’ve picked have been interesting and the series has been relatively entertaining. For your viewing pleasure, I thought I’d start posting these up and give you a behind the scenes look at some serious players hard at work.
We start with a Kiss…
We tha ish folk. There’s no denyin it.
HHHT all day e’yday.
Be well world.
Triple
www.ppfhouse.com
HHHTowards the Right (Geographically, not politically),
In the last decade, the once dominant East Coast (Home of everyone from De La Soul to the Notorious B.I.G., the Juice Crew to the Wu-Tang Clan) have struggled to stay on top of the rap food chain as their necessity for cadence and concept has been dwarfed by the Souths ever infectious ‘Bounce’ and ‘Hook’ approach. And well, while living legends Jay-Z and Nas still continue to dominate whenever they appear, the notion of a new East Coast dynasty remains myth like Lebron’s Championship ring.
However, as an over obsessive rap Stan, I’ve noticed something this year that has somehow slipped under the mainstream media’s radar…THE EAST IS BACK! Now I won’t go so far as to say a new Dynasty is on the horizon because quite frankly, outside of a handful of artists, the East is still selling less than the South. But for those who just love themselves some East Coast ish, 2009’s been good to you!
Lemme break it down:
- Jadakiss pushed 100,000 his first week.
- Mos Def had in my opinion (and Diddy’s apparently), the best album of the year – PRETTY DANCER’S MY SHIT!
- Fabolous, although coming with less than stellar singles, actually had his best album yet (check Pachanga).
- Wu-Tang CAME (and left again).
- De La Soul celebrated their 20th anniversary with an incredible tour (yes I was there and yes it was the best I’ve ever seen them).
- Busta stayed relevant.
- Q-Tip released (and re-released) 2 ridiculous records!
- Drake is hotter than fresh caca outta Dumbo.
- Slaughterhouse’s Joe Budden and Joell Ortiz continue to spit crazy bars.
- KRS-One and Buckshot proved they can still punch with the best of’em.
- Meth & Red stayed INTERNATIONAL!
- Raekwon & Ghost both released excellent albums as well as confirmed an upcoming trio record with Meth.
- And finally, Jay came back and made up for that black eye known as Kingdom Come.
Well, to add to this nice list of 2009 accomplishments, how bout a few more goodies that slid across my desktop this past week (and a few that came out during the HHHT hiatus).
HOV’ WITH ONE OF THE BEST COMMERCIALS EVER!
GHOST WITH SOME CLASSIC ISH (nsfw)
NEW LOX!
Styles P. feat. Jadakiss & Junior Reid – Invasion
Jadakiss & Rakim – Euphoria (w/ Tags unfortunately)
AND THE ROOTS! ROOTS! ROOOOOOTS!!
I’m feelin good people. Get to my level.
Triple.
www.ppfhouse.com
HHHTwins,
Throughout the history of music there’ve been an abundance of amazing duos. From Eric B. & Rakim to Simon & Garfunkel to Rick James & Eddie Murphy (CLAAASSIC!) it seems that the nature of pairing 2 equally skilled artists together can have an incredibly positive and progressive effect on the quality of the end product. Whether it be because of some intangible chemistry or simply because both artists are doing their best not to be outshone by the other, at very least, duos always give us something to talk about. Well, to continue and contribute to this pattern, here’s a post about a few more new and old classic pairings.
DEF & DOOM
What do you get when you take 2 of Hip-Hop’s most beloved and influential lyricists, both of whom were at one time themselves part of other classic pairings (Black Star & KMD respectively) and you put’em together?
Well…I don’t actually know. But I assume it’d be madness.
Just recently leaked was this youtube footage of Mos Def and what sounds like DOOM behind the camera spitting some potentially new co-written material. As of now, these 2 have never officially released any songs together, but after seeing this, it might be okay to start getting your hopes up.
And if you didn’t see the initial video, this is Mos speaking on the dopeness of DOOM and touching on the genius of De La.
**BONUS DL – LEE WILSON Feat. MOS DEF – SOUL KISS**
GHOSTFACE and…
Ghostface has been part of his share of classic pairings. Whether it be himself and the aforementioned DOOM, or with long time Clan member, Raekwon (who he’ll be releasing an album with alongside the rejuvenated Method Man — if you didn’t cop Blackout!2, you need to.), Ghost rarely, if ever, falters on a verse and any rap fan who breathes oxygen knows this.
Well although this isn’t actually a pairing, here’s a clip of Ghost talking about the late-O.D.B. and just what he meant when he said ‘Oooh Baby I like it RAAAW!’
**BONUS DL – GHOSTFACE feat. FABOLOUS – 2DOPE**
UTTER THE SUN
And last but definitely not least, the HHHT World Premiere of Toronto-based duo MAGNOLIUS‘ brand new video – Utter the Sun.
These guys are a problem. Stay tuned.
MAGNOLIUS – UTTER THE SUN (MPFREE)
That’s the jam.
House wins.
Triple.
HHHTaichung Bound,
Tomorrow night is SOUL SURVIVOR. And you should be there. You really should.
The CAPtain will be there full force and destroying minds with some Hip-Hop 101 meanwhile, HHHT alum, Bobby Bonestorm promises something……….I don’t even wanna provide an adjective to it. Just go. As far as prep for what’s about to go down, I give you some up jump, head nod, feel good type ish.
Summer Love
C’mon man. These guys are just too smooth.
Camp Lo continues their onslaught this year of good ass hip-hop. This one’s for the sun.
Truck Jewels
As I had anticipated, it’s arrived.
Straight from the Okayplayer msg boards. This little sample of the ?uestlove endorsed emcee seems promising. I’ve only heard a few tunes thus far, and as of yet, it hasn’t let me down. With guestspots from Black Thought, Wale, Dice Raw, Reef the Lost Cauze and the highly underrated Roscoe P. Coldchain, I’m assuming there’re plenty more goodies on here.
Lemme know what you think.
Truck North – Truck Jewels Mixtape
And finally….some visual entertainment. The Mighty Mos Def a.k.a. Flaco Bey clearing some things up with Angie Martinez, and proposing one of the most exciting events in Hip-Hop history (IF it were to go down. Which I doubt.)
Watch and enjoy.
It’s Friday folk. 1 more sleep.
Get ta vibin.
Trip.
www.ppfhouse.com
HHHTimpani Lovers,
I’m a huge Mos Def fan. I think I’ve spoke on it a couple times before so I won’t go into my usual speal (sp?) but the gist of it is ‘he’s dope’. Like his music or not, the man has stuck to his guns through and through and he seems steady on his course despite tempting offers from Def Jam, Aftermath, etc. etc.
Anyway, Pretty Flaco just dropped his new record and I like it plenty. The production’s not spectacular and the tracks aren’t put together in as lucid a way as Black on Both Sides or even New Danger for that matter, but I can’t stop listening to it. The content is super heavy. The song structures are odd and jarring. He messes around with metre and time signatures. And more than anything, this album is just about Mos Def putting on a clinic as an emcee. Period.
Well…Mos recently showed up on David Letterman with a DJ, Drummer, couple Timpani drums and a Fela Kuti sample in tow. Needless to say…it brought a smile to my face and I hope it does yours.
And if that doesn’t get you goin, how bout Ghostface rippin another classic sample. This guy’s just too damn consistent.
Ghostface – Forever (Dirty)
…and if THAT doesn’t work…..
I just realized that this post doesn’t co-ordinate with the right day. But it’s too late now.
Get into it.
Be well world.
Triple.
www.ppfhouse.com
ppfhouse.bandcamp.com
www.youtube.com/ppfhouse
HHHTruants,
First off, apologies from the crew for being away this past week. The CAPtain’s been marinating in some birthday love, M.A. continues his quest to Waakao the world and I’ve been sewing up some of the final details for the PPF House ‘Slow Claps’ Tour which will see us hit 20 cities nationwide this summer (So, all my Canadian homies, keep your eyes peeled cause we’ll be in your neck of the woods very soon).
Secondly, in regards to the blog title…cot damn!! if there weren’t a crazy amount of treats offered up on the blog circuit this week. I won’t be able to get to’em all today, but I’ll do my best to give you the highlights.
SA-RA Creative Partners
I’m a large fan of these guys.
Even though their debut effort sounded less like an album and more like a compilation thrown together a week before deadline, these L.A. maestros somehow managed to flex their musical muscles and avoid being overshadowed beneath a ridiculous cast of guest spots that included: Dilla, Kurupt, Q-Tip, Kweli and Pharoahe Monch…just to name a few..and show people that, in the illustrious words of Robert Diggs, Sa-Ra ‘ain’t nuttin’ to F*!# wit‘.
Now prepping to drop their Sophomore set Nuclear Evolution: The Age of Love, I give you some sneak peek material that I can only hope dwarfs their previous effort.
Sa-Ra Creative Partners – Bitch Baby
Black Star
Even though Hip-Hop has designated a Golden Age period for the sake of its cultural timeline, I don’t think I’m wrong in saying that for each serious listener and lover of music, we all go through our own renditions of a Golden Age.
Black Star was an integral part of mine.
Now I can’t really explain why these 2 very afrocentric lyricists are so beloved by Asian kids everywhere, or why Okayplayer shows seem to always be 50% my kin, but they are. I’d like to think that my reasons behind my fandom are unique, but chances are they aren’t. And well…as I try to find ways to separate myself from the pack, the bottom line is, when these 2 get together, it’s nuts. Whether you’re referencing: Know That (Black on Both Sides), Joy (Quality), Supreme Supreme (Right About Now), Little Brother (Hurricane OST) or the whole Self-Titled Black Star album, these guys have that intangible ish. And well, they’re back again for Mos’ upcoming effort, Ecstatic and I’m happy bout it.
Mos Def – History Feat. Talib Kweli
DILLA
I generally write enough about Dilla on this blog. No more writing.
Watch and DL.
Dilla -Blood Sport (Feat. Lil Fame of M.O.P.)
It’s Friday Folk…scrap it up.
Be well World
Triple
www.ppfhouse.com/news – PPFilm Festival happening now!
ppfhouse.bandcamp.com
www.youtube.com/ppfhouse
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