The Greatest Man Alive.

Anybody who has had the misfortune to read my previous posts (no mocking please, i'm sure there is something wrong with the hit counter) knows i am obviously not self referencing. No, that would be The Greatest Blogger Alive!!

Moving swiftly on, and i really couldn't blame you if it were to another blog, i have often noticed that when people are discussing their favourite, or even the greatest MC's of all time, 3xDopes EST never seems to be mentioned, and i cannot mo fo understand why. Granted he had set the bar ambitiously high when they released 'The Greatest Man Alive', but even if he falls short of this heady target, trailing narrowly behind Charlie Sheen obviously, then he was certainly close. Expansive diction, smooth yet distinctive delivery and some quite incredible jumpers, made the group a memorable sight.

The video linked to below is from their classic first album that contained some fantastic material, sadly record label issues saw them release a second album, that whilst enjoyable, was a collection they were later to admit, was far more commercial than they would have liked. Predictably it didn't do as well as was hoped, and from 1990 onwards they seemed to disappear from the scene, only to release a 3rd album in 1999 entitled 'The Sequel 3' without warning, and apparently, publicity, marketing strategy or melody!

Please check the link below to appreciate a great M.C. at the peak of his powers backed ably by Chuck Nice and Woody Wood.

http://hotfile.com/dl/110123296/3717d4f/3xDope_-_No_Words.mp4.html

Mad C - 700 Wall

700 Wall - Final Update from Molotow on Vimeo.
Thanks to Battlechasers for the nod on this one.  This is one of the craziest graffiti pieces I've ever seen.  German graffiti artist Mad C spent most of 2010 painting a single wall in what is probably the biggest graffiti project ever undertaken by a solo artist.  In her own words she says:

"I used 1489 cans; 158 different colours; 600+ caps; 3 different kind of caps, 100 liters primer; 140 liters exterior paint; painted at temperatures from +2C° to +38C° in sunshine, rain, storm, day and night; painted my biggest and smallest piece so far and overall painted my name far more than 100 times on this wall."

When you watch the video you'll start to appreciate what an undertaking this was.  I strongly recommend that you play this in full screen mode and choose some good points to hit the pause button to fully appreciate the detail in her work.  Alternatively, head over to the links below and see some photos of the wall in more detail.

http://www.madc.tv/
http://www.molotow.com/magazine/700wall/

Public Enemy Live 1988

Following on from the MC Duke post a couple of months ago, here is another clip from the TV programme Behind the Beat that used to air on BBC2 (UK only).  This time it's a live show from Public Enemy performing My Uzi Weighs a Ton.  This was originally shown in 1988 and is a rare clip, so I hope you enjoy it. 

I've seen Public Enemy perform live numerous times over the last 20 or so years, but it was these earlier shows that had a level of energy that I think was unique to that era.  In the late 80's and early 90's PE were probably the only group that put on a proper stage show and blew their audiences away.  Flavour would be jumping off 15ft high speakers, the SW1's were doing their routines and Chuck was bouncing all over the place without ever losing a breathe, they were incredible.

Don't miss the download link at the bottom of this post if you want a copy for keeps.



Download Link (Hotfile - 27mb)
http://hotfile.com/dl/96325219/1e7b43e/Public_Enemy_-_My_Uzi_Weighs_A_Ton_(Live_Behind_The_Beat_1988).avi.html

World DMC DJ Championships 1987-2001

    



This nice little medley shows the DMC Champion for each of the years performing their winning DJ sets.  Seeing these performances back to back really shows how much turntablism has progressed since the early years.  From Chad Jackson scratching with a pool cue, to Rock Steady DJ's being the first crew to take the title, and then DJ Craze's amazing 3 titles in a row, total domination of the competition.

Here are the list of winners, the download link is below.

1987 - Chad Jackson (UK)
1988 - DJ Cash Money (USA)
1989 - Cutmaster Swift (UK)
1990 - DJ David (Germany)
1991 - DJ David (Germany)
1992 - Rocksteady DJs (Mix Master Mike, Q-Bert, & DJ Apollo) (USA)
1993 - Dreamteam (Mix Master Mike and DJ Q-Bert) (USA)
1994 - Dreamteam (Mix Master Mike and DJ Q-Bert) (USA)
1995 - Roc Raida (USA) - X-Ecutioners
1996 - DJ Noize (Denmark)
1997 - DJ A-Trak (Canada) - youngest ever world champion aged 15
1998 - DJ Craze (USA)
1999 - DJ Craze (USA)
2000 - DJ Craze (USA)
2001 - Plus One (UK)

Download Link (Hotfile - 700mb)
http://hotfile.com/dl/83600055/af9d6dd/World.DMC.DJ.Champions1987-2001.rar.html

Sabac - The Ritual DVD

Sabac Red (as he was formerly known in Non Phixion alongside DJ Eclipse, Ill Bill & Goretex) is an underrated political and conscious MC with a lot to say that will provoke the mind. He has released two solo projects since Non Phixion disbanded in 2006, both released on Necro's Psycho+Logical-Records, but each remain slept on by the masses (which is no bad thing).  His 2nd offering The Ritual came in two formats, one of which was accompanied by a DVD.

Although this DVD isn't a highly polished, big budget effort, it's certainly not one of those lame efforts which are just a collection of random clips.  You know the ones, where they use mobile phone footage of live concerts and call it 'exclusive content'. 
Sabac has really made an effort to engage with the viewer by giving them an insight into the work that he does behind the scenes to improve his community and educate the kids.  He commentates on his work and his feelings and this informal narration cuts in and out throughout the DVD and successfully pulls together the various other footage that we're presented with. 
 
The DVD is a full length film featuring videos, interviews, live European tour footage with Ill Bill & DJ Eclipse, freestyles, behind the scenes making of 'The Collabo Collection Vol. 2 Mixtape' and more.
 
Download Link (Hotfile - 690mb)
http://hotfile.com/dl/83638488/88aca73/Sabac.The.Ritual.Bonus.DVD.2008.DVDRip.rar.html

Shyheim - Live on BET

Shyheim (aka The Rugged Child) was the youngest (and probably smallest!) member of the Wu-Tang Clan. But his age and stature hasn’t affected his presence within the Wu-Tang and compared to many of the better known Wu affiliates, Shyheim has actually had much more success. He’s released studio 5 albums over a 15 year career and worked with a stellar line up of major artists including Big L, 2Pac, Mya, Smoothe Da Hustler, B.I.G., Jay-Z etc.

In 1995 he made a cameo appearance in TLC’s Waterfalls video and has since starred in several Hollywood movies along side the likes of Omar Epps, Pam Grier, Richard Roundtree and other rappers such as Nas and LL Cool J. I don’t think U-God or Cappadonna could top that.

In this video, Shyheim performs one of his biggest hits Manchild, live on BET's Teen Summit alongside fellow Wu affiliate Tekitha.  This is one of my favourite Shyheim cuts, second only to Furious Anger with Big L. 

Download Link (Hotfile - 28mb)
http://hotfile.com/dl/85608110/fc91fc9/Shyheim_Feat_Tekitha_-_Manchild(Live__BET_Teen_Summit).mpg.html

Big Daddy Kane - Get In To It (1987)

One of my most prominent memories from 1987 was the explosion of pirate radio and the amazing array of talented rappers that were blaring out of my stereo.  Never had my speakers had it so good.  Of all the artists at that time, Big Daddy Kane was the one getting the heaviest rotation.  Every time the DJ changed and the next show started, they too would play the latest BDK 12" that their predecessor had only just played half an hour before, but hey, I wasn't complaining because his shit was so dope.

Big Daddy Kane was like Rakim in that his lyrical ability and delivery truly set him apart from almost everyone around him.  He struck an incredibly fine balance of using complex metaphors alongside classic battle rhymes over punchy up tempo beats whilst still managing to sound smoother than a full Brazilian wax.  His diction was crisp and every word was audible, despite the speed at which he often delivered his rhymes, (something many new school artists should study, but don't get me started on the current trend of lazy rap). 

To quote the legend himself:
"And let's just get one more thing understood"
"If I fart on a record, trust me nigga, that shit gon' sound good"

This 12", along with a couple of his other early 12"s, was released on the Prism label, which later merged with Cold Chillin.  It's produced by Marley Marl and has the fantastic Just Rhymin' With Biz on the B side.
When people talk about the explosion of Hip Hop in the late 1980's they usually mention Eric B & Rakim, PE, LL, Run DMC etc but Kane is too often omitted from this list which is an injustice as his influence was as great as the fore mentioned.

Track listing:
A1 Get Into It (Vocal) 5:08
A2 Get Into It (Instrumental) 5:11
B1 Somethin' Funky 5:07
B2 Just Rhymin' With Biz 4:03

Download Link (Hotfile - 27mb)
http://hotfile.com/dl/88100083/fb781b3/Big_Daddy_Kane_-_Get_Into_It_(12)-1987.rar.html

DJ Premier: The XXL Icon Interview

DJ Premier talks to XXL magazine about his 20+ years in hip hop and many of his most poignant moments during that time.  Premo is a fairly well documented character, but this interview brings new stories (like him berating Chuck D in front of his kids for suing him) and expands on some of the old ones, in particular the strained relationship between him and Guru. 

Premo reveals some of the industry's secrets whilst at the same time providing his own honest viewpoint, like admitting Group Home had very little lyrical ability (just goes to show how important a dope beat is)!

This interview gives a fresh insight into the life of the super producer, but instead of me telling you anymore, go and enojoy it for yourself.

http://www.xxlmag.com/features/2010/12/dj-premier-the-xxl-icon-interview/

What does it take to make you whyl?

For most people a can of Brasso inhaled rapidly will do the trick, for Ace, Buckshot and Special Ed, living in Crooklyn was enough. A classic video where you can almost smell the crime, of which Special Ed seems to be particularly aware as he spends most of his verse looking round like he wished the car they were tied to was travelling much, much faster. And he was inside it!

Three legends on the microphone in my opinion, i feel in particular that Special Ed didn't get his props. He had a very different style, which sounds as fresh now as it does then, and was always positive on the microphone, without making the listening feel that they'd accidentally walked into a sermon staffed by an overbearing local youth worker.

Ace was, and continues to be, one of my favourite. His lyrics were always on point, his stories always kept me interested and painted a picture that invited the listener into his world and offered you a comfy seat next to the TV. His first album, 'Take a Look Around' is a very good place to start if you fancy catching some of his insightful rhymes. Musically he was very versatile, so if this doesn't fit the bill for you, one of his later masterpieces might!

Buckshot has a flow that is instantly recognisable, and its great to see him still recording today with all manner of noted producers. 9th Wonder in particular suited his style i felt.

Firearm to your, i'm sure, gorgeous face, who would you chose as you your favourite of all time? I have to stay that is the second hardest question after, would you like to be buried or cremated? I still don't have an answer to either. Do you have any thoughts? Primarily to the first one really. I don't have a particular interest in the second unless i'm apologising profusely through teary eyes and your legs are sticking out awkwardly from under my car.

If you are interested in a copy of the video, here it is:

Crooklyn Dodgers (35mb)

Podcasts

I stumbled across some podcasts that might interest some of you.  A couple of interesting interviews that are worth a listen.

Dead Prez - 30 minute interview with M-1 & Sticman
Crazy Legs - 50 minute interview with Rock Steady Crew's frontman

Both of these can be downloaded for your future listening pleasure.