Grand Puba Says No To Drugs

Before Grand Puba Maxwell joined Derrek X & Lord Jammer to form Brand Nubian he was in a group called 'Masters Of Ceremony' with Dr. Who (no not the timelord) and DJ Shabazz. The earliest record I know of theirs is 'Crime' on the M-Low label that proceeded Jazzy Jays 'Strong City' label. This is the 3rd of the Masters Of Ceremony 12"s on 'Strong City' and was released in 87. After this 12" they moved to '4th and Broadway' bringing out 4 12"s from the Dynamite LP.

Masters Of Ceremony - Cracked Out Remix

Filmclip: The Jaz & Jay Z - The Originators

I've posted the audio up a little while back now check the film clip. One of my personal favorites.
Enjoy!

Jaz feat Jay Z -The Originators

Before D.O.P got Madd

Back in the very early 90's on the Bahia label D-Dot aka Madd Rapper aka D.O.P was one of two rappers for the Afrocentric group 'Two Kings In A Cipher'. The group consisted of D.O.P, Noble Ahmen-Ra and DJ Tone (who also dropped a few raps on the album).

D.O.P went on to drop an album as the Madd Rappper called 'Tell Em Why U Mad'. D-Dot also worked with Bad Boy Entertainment first as AR Director before P Diddy promoted him to the in house Bad Boy producer.

The Madd Rappers true identity was original supposed to be secret until Blaze magazine dropped the bomb on D-Dot. In return for this favour D-Dot proceeded to drop bombs on the head of the Blaze Mags editor. I’m pretty sure the Madd Rapper first appeared as a character on the intro to the Biggie Smalls track ‘Kick In The Door’

D-Dot was credited as exclusive producer on Mase - Harlem World, LOX - Money, Power Respect, Faith Evans - Keep the Faith, and Black Rob - Life Story.

Even though Two Kings In A Cipher had one of the corniest tracks of all time 'Daffy Was A Black Man' (where they try and explain the racism towards our favorite black duck) I still feel the album 'From Pyramids To Projects' is slept on. Check it out if you find a copy in a dollar bin.

Two Kings In A Cipher - Kermit-Cal Reaction
Two Kings In A Cipher - Kings Are People Too
Two Kings In A Cipher - Movin On Em (original mix non album cut)

Please Listen To Our ....

Take a listen to the radio show stream. I uploaded an old show from July 2001. It's a bit of a lucky dip. I have no idea what is on this show, but at least it is something new for our listeners until we are back on air.

Rahzel's Roots

Before he became the beatbox mega star with The Roots and following on with some hot and not so hot solo ventures Rahzel was laying down some beatbox tracks by the name Rozell (still pronounced the same). This track is with Mikey D who went on to replace Large Pro in Main Source. It's one of many tracks about a skeezer over a beat box that the late 80's were responsible for. This was released in 1987.

Mikey D & LA Posse - Dawn

New Forum Added !!!!!!

I have no idea if this will get used or not, but hey lets give it a try. Any Hip Hop questions, general chit chat or requests can go in the forum.

Seeing we have had over 2000 hits from unique I.Ps I am sure we should be able to get this popping in no time.

Thanks everyone for checking our entry into the wonderful world of geeky blogs.

It's Ill Being A Dopefiend

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away .....

Well not that long ago (mid 90's) and not that far away either (Somewhere in New York) Ill Bill dropped this track. As far as I know it is his earliest officialy released Ill Bill track. It's off a compilation on Southpaw Records, the only other thing released on that label was a Hobo Junction EP. The compilation also features Love & Props (T Love), Widowmakers, and 2 Lord Digga tracks. There is a repress of this but it is minus the Ill Bill track and it is replaced with Masta Ace 'Top 10 List'.

Ill Bill - Dopefiend

Another mistake by myself: There were a couple other records on Southpaw (I knew of one if I really thought about it). Thanks to reader for pulling my card on that one !!!

Chinos Art Of Origin

Before Chino dropped classics like 'Freestyle Rhymes' and 'No Complex' he was in a group called 'Art Of Origin' with another MC named Kaoz. This is the first of the 2 12"s they dropped the other being 'No Slow Rollin'. Chino also dropped at least one solo 12" before his debut album 'Here To Save You All' and that was 'Purple Hands In The Air'.

So here it is:

Art Of Origin - Unration-AL

Low Profile: Before A Funky Song

I am pretty sure that this is the first song recorded by Low Profile. I have no idea who the second MC is, but this is the only track released that he raps with WC and DJ Aladdin. I did read a while ago who it was but for the life of me I can't remember.

This track comes off the funky fresh 'Rhyme Syndicate Comin' Through'

Low Profile - Think You Can Hang?

Thanks to a reader for pointing out Zero was the other MC in this track and also there were Low Profile tracks before this but minus WC.

Before They Had Bald Headz

Jam Master Jay (R.I.P) hooked Onyx up with the 12" on Profile. Recorded in 1990 and before Sticky Fingers had joined the group. This was a full 3 years earlier than 'Bacdafucup'. I haven't seen this 12" around often, but I am sure it is neither sort after or rare.

Ah, And We Do It Like This

Really Young Hov

Before Jigga man met Biggie and started a career based on recycling B.I.G lines, he had all sorts of guest spots.

The earliest is 'High Potent - HP Gets Busy' where he features with Jaz. Recorded in 1986, not the greatest track but an interesting peice of J Hova history.

Next up 'Jaz - The Originators'. This Prince Paul produced gem was released in 1990 Jay Z shows of his lyrical skill on this track tounge twisting his way through his verse. Jay Z appeared on an earlier track with Jaz 'Hawaain Sophie' but too me it sounds like something Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince would of recorded, so lets pretend that doesn't exist for the sake of my rep.

Last one is 1993 'Original Flavor - Can I Get Open Remix' nice track from Dame Dashes homeboy Ski. I'm not sure what the relation is but I am sure Jigga was hooked up with Ski via Damion. Ski also produced a few tracks on Reasonable Doubt, not sure what he is up to now. I've thrown the remix up just for rap nerd value Shawn Carter does appear on both vesions.

Before He Had A Posse

This is the begining of my 'before they....' series. Highlighting the first releases of groups under other names or guest spots before they were 'stars' so to speak.

Firing up this new series is Sugar Ray of 'Double X Posse'. Sugar Rays first outing was in 89 on Next Plateau Records under the name MC Sugar Ray and Stranger D.

This 12" is hype !!! It is only 2 tracks deep on the a we have 'Knock Em Out Sugar Ray' original and 45 King mixes, personally I prefer the original, sorry to the 45 King fans, but this is no where near his finest work. On the flip we have 'If It Ain't Ruff It Ain't Right' also a classic in my book.

This record is sort after but by no means rare, so you should be able to track it down but it might set you back a few bucks.

Knock Em Out Sugar Ray 45 King Mix

Knock Em Out Sugar Ray Original Mix

If It Ain't Rough, It Ain't Right

A Shout To: Tobias the Cheeky Monkey

I was sitting here thinking about our suspension from Premium Blend and trying to come up with something besides Hip Hop that I get enthused about in my mundane life. It seems basically my life is the daily grind sprinkled with a little bit of Hip Hop. As I just started to realize how depressing this was and considering jumping off a cliff a thought struck me, it was like someone switched on a light bulb in my head! My Cack, Flesh Saber, Tockley, Weiner, Flesh Helmet, my Cactus, that’s what else I get excited about!!!!

Now like this revelation wasn't enough I also with a little thought realized how Hip Hop the greatest of gods inventions is. Its 'Hard As Hell', has a bad haircut (see my Gravediggaz post), you can hold it like a gat, there are so many things that make Russell The One-Eyed Wonder Muscle Hip Hop.

Now I am obviously not the first to realize how hip hop my John Thomas is, people like 'The Sugar Dick Daddy' Mr. Lawnge from Black Sheep have made a career on his Salty Dog alone.

So this stands as a tribute to all those before me that realized their Penis was Hip Hop. (Yes Penis deserves a capital, your lucky it doesn’t get all capitals and size 18 font)

Black Sheep - La Ménage

High & Mighty ft El P & Bobbito - Hands On Experience

Big Willie Smith - Keep It Real…. Represent

Yaggfu Front - My Dick Is So Large (CD Bonus Track)

Now excuse me while I go and rough up the suspect.

Kicked to the Curb - PB off air

Yo,

Premium Blend is off air for the next 3 months, effective immediately. In 3 months time we can 're-apply' and maybe get a new time slot.

We were told the reason for this is that guests are continuing to drink in the studio, after we had already been warned once for this.

Well - what can i say. Thats true, every time we have guests in it gets out of control - but thats what makes it dope. So lets hope we can back on air in 3 months time, hopefully in a time slot that lets us get some fuckin sleep haha.

Until then - this website will be business as usual, so check in here and we will have some good shit up for you. We'll sort some shit out with the stream, maybe hook up some mixes or something.

If you would like to voice your thoughts on this issue to 3D radio, and tell them how much you love our show and how much you want us back - send them an email, or give them a call during office hours. Be polite, telling them they are fuckwits isn't going to help haha.

programming@threedradio.com
3D Radio - 8363 3937

More as it develops.

Peace
Headlock

Top Ten List: Red Hot Lover Tone

This is it! Finally I have reached number 10 (or 1 depending if you think the glass is half full or half empty). I really didn't think about how big this job was when I undertook it. The rundown of what I have covered goes a little something like this:

WC and The MAAD Circle - Ain't A Damn Thang Changed
Grand Daddy IU - Smooth Assassin
OG Style - I Know How To Play 'Em
Gravediggaz - 6ft Deep
Black Rock & Ron - Stop The World
Steady B - Let The Hustlers Play
Cross Bred Mongrels - Overgrown Town
Pudgee The Phat Bastard - Give 'Em The Finger
Donald D - Notorious

and now last but not least the self titled album from Red Hot Lover Tone!

Red Hot Lover Tone aka The Gigolow aka Tone from Trackmasterz dropped this classic in '92. I made my feelings for Trackmasterz pretty clear on my Pudgee review, Tone and Pokes early/mid 90's production is slept on to the point of being criminal. The production on this album is smooth as butter, ladden with nice soul and funk samples. By no means is the the strongest album in my top 10, but the dope tracks are pure heat. For example D.I.Y.M (Dick In Your Mouth), Give It Up and Like A Virgin where he brings a Yaggfu Front MC along to drop a dope verse 2 years before the Yaggfu album dropped. There is plenty of guests on the album, but seeing it all went uncredited (except for writting credits under goverment names) I have no idea who they are.

Pretty much every track is about pussy and wanting to be a gigolow (and good on him) but it does give the album limited playability, although he does have a track tributing the male problem of blue balls that can be played quite a few times before the humour wears off. I really do prefer this album than his much less slept on #1 Player.

He also goes down as another rapper trying to bring in his own slang word with DIYM, it failed miserably like De La's Shwingalokate (spelling?) thank god for that. Look for a future post on rappers failed slang.

To prove how slept on this album is there is a Diamond D remix of 'Give It Up' on 12" and still no one talks about it. We are talking Diamond D production from his prime in '92. You fikle Hip Hop heads better check yourselves before the prices go up on ebay. Advertisments for this 12" will read 'As seen on Kirks Top 10 List' followed by a $70 price tag.

Thanks for checking my top 10 list, now it's done it's kinda like have an overweight monkey off my back (big ups to Trials).

D.I.Y.M
Like A Virgin
Give It Up
Give It Up Diamond D Remix

Top Ten List - Donald D - Notorious

The Syndicate Sniper Microphone King Donald D first came on to the scene as Africa Islams weed carrier in the mid 80's. There is plenty of history to celebrate pre joining Ice Ts' Syndicate crew, but seeing this is a review of a Syndicate album I will stick to that. Donald D was a Bronx native and moved to LA after becoming a member of the Syndicate. The story goes he met Ice T while on holidays with Islam in LA, Ice asked Don to record a track for the 'Rhyme Syndicate Comin' Through' compilation the result was a classic collab with Bronx Style Bob 'The Name Of The Game'. The Syndicate Sniper went on to become Ices right hand man and rumor has it also penning a few of Ice Ts hits, the rest was history.

The album has the classic '89 funk loop influenced beats, I would say the beats are a lot harder and dirtier than on Ice T's 'Power' (also a classic in my book). The Microphone King rips the mic, telling stories of being on tour, drugs, crime, sex and how good he is. Ice jumps on to let us know in reverse that his crew has all the guns on 'Who Got The Guns' and follows that up with a couple dope verses on 'Lost In A Freestyle'. Even though the Syndicate was having beef with LL Cool J they didn't leave off the '89 style mandatory Cool James love song 'A Letter I'll Never Send'. I really wish it was left off, who was looking for those tracks anyway? Maybe the same herbs that were buying the CJ Mackintosh dance remixes. I give the late 80's one thing they really knew how to add really horrible tracks to otherwise really dope albums.

To me 'Notorious' is the jewel of the Rhyme Syndicate collection. I heard an interview with Don questioning him on the track about the Syndicates groupie adventures'Just Suck' and he swears it's all true!!! What a dope cunt 5 minutes and 6 seconds about Don and his crew getting their knobs polished (he notably leaves out Ice T, cause you know he's married to the Syndicate Queen Darlene). Now I know why he self proclaimed himself as the Microphone King Donald D.

Notorious
Syndicate Posse
Lost In A Freestyle featuring Ice T
Just Suck

Playlist 05/05/05

Present Tense - Feedback
Krown Rulers - B Boy Document
Mnemonic Ascent - Nada Subliminal
A Love - Captains
Art of War - Dont ever come back
Kaze & 9th Wonder - Should've been there
Jay Z - Moment of Clarity (Sergio Fuck Mix)
Layla - Fatal Pressures
Tame 1 - Itz goin down (ft. Raw)
Edan - Rock N Roll (ft. Dagha)
Grayskul - Behold
Handsome Boy Modelling School - A Day in the Life (ft. RZA, The Mars Volta, AG)
DJ Noize - 2 Deck Mix
Public Enemy - Bring the Noise
Cypress Hill - Real Estate
Eazy E - We Want Eazy
Tim Dog - Industry is Wack (ft. kool keith)
Show & AG - Next Level
Big Pun - You aint a killa
Ultra Mags - Ego Trippin
Hospice - Freedom Frenzy
Masta Ace - NY Confidential
Ice T - OG
Xzibit - Plastic Surgery (ft. Ras Kass, Saafir)
Tall Dark & Handsome - The Bronx is Back
ED OG - Streets of the Ghetto
Original Flava - Best Friends Girl

Stream should be up soon.

Bottom 6 List: The Video Revolution

For the last few years more and more new and talented artists have been able to get their Shit Hop out to the masses. This is due entirely to the internet revolution. These days you can record whatever you want on a budget PC, encode it to an mp3 and just stick it up on the net. There's even dedicated web sites for this exact thing, so people dont even need to have space on the internet - it is all there for them (and for this, these websites will have to answer to GOD).

And now, with technology getting even better and digital cameras getting even cheaper - the next logical step is Videos. As a fledgling culture, Shit Hop videos are still in their infancy - with poor production values and little exposure in the mainstream media (FOR SHAME CHANNEL V - SUPPORT THESE ARTISTS!) - but they have one thing going for them. Heart. And shit music.

So today i would like you to join me in appreciation of The Dirty Boyz. Before a whole heap of dudes who love down south crunk get agro at me, i should point out that these guys are from Sydney, Australia. They are NOT the Dirty Boyz from Florida.
I guess they didn't know the name was taken, or maybe it was an homage. Who knows. What i do know is that Sharlz, Joe Black and Diggity D are ready to get dirty with you, right now. Check this video for their banging club single "Get Dirty to This". Its Heat.

View it here (windows media player)