So, is this egotism justifiable by reason of incredible beats and dope rhymes? Well…certainly not. The production as well as the emceeing on Black Snow is far from the illest shit I have ever heard. Black Snow is unfortunately one of those albums that play like the most generic and inconsistent of mix-tapes. Black Snow, much like the Snowgoons star-studded first effort, German Lugers, is a major disappointment. At times, the production is repetitive as much as the rhymes are predictable and boring. Don’t eat yellow snow, don’t buy Black Snow.

-Lee Reed

From Babygrande Records comes NY OIL ’s “Y’all Should All Get Lynched” (Animated Version) off the forthcoming album, Hood Treason ; In stores July 8th

I’ll start off by scoring this album at 7.5 out of 10 and explain the draw backs first, because there are so few of them. For starters, it is a bit of a short listen, just under forty minutes. Now, I’m not saying forty minutes is a cup cake of an album, but it just didn’t fill me up and to borrow an analogy from Ed Lover, I had a tall glass of Time Machine lemonade and I needed to drink from it.

When I arrived at the fourth track on the album, “We’re Making a Video,” I needed to knock brownie points off for the hook because it doesn’t let you forget the name of the song. Upon first listen it reminded me a lot like the child sung chorus of “D.A.N.C.E.” from the French production duo, Justice. Before I arrived at the fourth track, I had to go through the second track, “(If You Know What) I Mean,” which had additional vocals by Maya Jupiter who reminded of the Sri-Lankan M.I.A. And this is the same M.I.A. I find extremely irritating, yet so catchy. No knock on Maya or TM for this, however I need to skip this track prematurely once the repetition of “I mean. . .I mean” starts.

Now that I got all the negatives out in the open, I will let all the positives reign supreme. DJ Mekalek is a master at his craft, plain and simple. What Mekalek does on the boards can be described as innovative, original, and novel. I really can’t think of one producer that he reminds me of, even if it’s only a small sample. I recommend playing this album through a good audio source because stock speakers in a Hyundai did it no favors. Once I came home, I threw it in my DVD player and played it through my home theater and that’s when I appreciated how Mek uses drums and snares, vocal samples, scratches, fades, and horns. Mekalek also makes me check the artwork on the album cover once “Here Comes That Sound” comes on. I didn’t know whether to nod my head up and down, or go find one of my old man’s Led Zeppelin greatest hits t-shirts with the late John Bonham drumming away on the front. It is refreshing to here drums in hip-hop used in this way. Mekalek makes it sound so simple and unforced and not since the Roots have I really heard a nice meld between traditional hip-hop production methods and a drum-heavy rock sound. The main difference here is ?uestlove is no where to be found, it’s all DJ Mekalek.

The remaining two thirds of Time Machine are not forgotten. Jet Set Jay, formerly JaySonic, and Biscuit, formerly Comel, play off each other with the charisma and magnetism of MCs of the yesteryear. Both have bouts with wit and seriousness throughout this album, whether it be a satirical story about someone finding their dream car only to have it explode in “The Unfortunate Twist,” or speaking on the real-life every day problems of our world in the title track, “Life is Expensive.” This album also has a nice balance of guests. The biggest surprise to me was one half of the legends Nice & Smooth, Greg Nice on “The Unfortunate Twist.” The past few years I’ve heard Greg Nice on a few Beatnuts tracks, mostly club bangers that cause me to hop up and down. This track isn’t quite club banger but Greg Nice’s appearance fits perfectly. During the hook he tells the listener to “Do the twist baby, hey hey!” and “Who would have known it would come to this? Do the twist!” Once the listener hears Biscuit and Jet Set Jay recite sad stories, Greg N-I comes in and cheers every one up with his usual high energy sound. Jahpan from Providence, RI’s Fedd Hill stops in as well as Cool Calm Pete and Shawn Jackson. Mekalek hands over the producing on two tracks to Stoerok, one of which is “Mountains”, which is one of my personal favorites.

If you were scoring at home, that was two references to indie-rock and one to classic rock and roll while other critics have referred to them as “Dance-Hop.” TM makes a nice effort at incorporating new sounds yet still make music that can appeal to the masses and keep it true hip-hop.

“Here’s the OFFICIAL music video for the graffiti anthem “Click Clack & Spray” (produced by Deacon the Villain), which can be found not only on my album “whutduzFMstand4?”, but also on the MTV VMA winning soundtrack to Marc Ecko’s “Getting Up” videogame.

After seeing dozens of youtube clips pop up for the song with thousands of hits, I realized there was a demand for visuals to go with it. Since it’s debut, a few directors have pitched ideas for a video that were all pretty good, but if you haven’t actually been out on the street bombing, then you can’t quite capture the essence of this song. So as the old saying goes, if you want it done right, you gotta do it yourself.

This video is done entirely by yours truly, so the viewers get a feel of exactly what I was thinking when I was writing. It also has an exclusive introduction by NYC graff legend Chino BYI, giving you some insight on what it means to go boming in New York.” - PackFM

This video is a MUST SEE for anyone who loves graffiti.

Jedi Mind Tricks and Babygrande Records are pleased to announce an unprecedented rapid fire 2008 release schedule guaranteed to satisfy even the most hardcore JMT/AOTP fans:

• The summer release of the first ever Jedi Mind Tricks DVD: “Divine Fire: The Story of Jedi Mind Tricks”
• The July 22nd release of Jedi Mind Tricks Presents: Doap Nixon “Sour Diesel”
• The August 5th release of Jedi Mind Tricks Presents: King Syze “The Labor Union”
• The September 30th release of Jedi Mind Tricks Presents: Outerspace “God’s Fury”
• The October 14th release of Jedi Mind Tricks’ sixth album “A History of Violence”

THE DVD

With a 12+ year career under their belt and a continually growing rabid fan base, the history of Jedi Mind Tricks has never been officially documented…until now. This summer, “Divine Fire: The Story of Jedi Mind Tricks DVD,” promises an insightful excursion into the roots of an underground empire. Look out for a special limited edition commemorative package encompassing the DVD and much more to be announced. And it won’t be available at retail anywhere…check for updates on this at www.jedi-mind-tricks.com because we’ll be bringing this one directly to you.

THE JEDI MIND TRICKS / ARMY OF THE PHARAOHS AFFILIATES’ PROJECTS:
With all three records executive produced by Vinnie Paz himself, these LP’s carry the unique sonic stamp of the Jedi Mind Tricks’ experience and reflect Jedi’s continual commitment to the cultivation of true, hardcore hip-hop. Like the releases from the Vinnie Paz’ anchored supergroup Army of the Pharaohs (”Torture Papers” and late ’07’s “Ritual of Battle”), these records are both a reflection of and homage to the “hardcore, that real raw type ish” pioneered by none other than JMT.

Doap Nixon - “Sour Diesel” (July 22nd)
A long time mainstay in the thriving Philly independent hip-hop scene, Doap Nixon is best known for his breakout performance on Army of the Pharaohs’ underground smash Ritual of Battle. Amidst a groundswell of anticipation, Doap unveils his debut LP, “Sour Diesel,” which features guest appearances from the core AOTP clique, including Vinnie Paz (of Jedi Mind Tricks), Outerspace, King Syze, King Magnetic, Reef The Lost Cauze & more as well as production from some of independent hip-hop’s most renowned and respected producers including Apathy, Snowgoons, Stu Bangas, Undefined & many more.

The first track, “The Wait Is Over,” feat. Reef The Lost Cauze & Vinnie Paz can EXCLUSIVELY be found here: www.crackspace.com/doapnixon

King Syze - “The Labor Union” (August 5th)
A core member of AOTP, King Syze crashed the scene with 2006’s debut “Syzemology.” On August 5th, along with the widespread re-release of “Syzemology,” comes Syze’s sophomore offering “The Labor Union.” Featuring appearances from the AOTP clique including Vinnie Paz, ILL Bill, Apathy, Planetary & Crypt of Outerspace, Reef The Lost Cauze, King Magnetic & more, the Pharaohs once again unite for this highly anticipated solo gem.

For more, please visit: www.crackspace.com/kingsyze

Outerspace - “God’s Fury” (September 30th)
After countless national tours with Jedi Mind Tricks and two critically and commercially well received solo LP’s (2004’s “Blood & Ashes” and 2006’s “Blood Brothers”), Outerspace return with the Vinnie Paz executive produced third LP “God’s Fury” on September 30th. Stay tuned for further updates and for more information please visit www.crackspace.com/outerspace.

Jedi Mind Tricks - “A History of Violence” (October 14th)
This fall we see the release of the highly anticipated sixth LP from Jedi Mind Tricks. Stay tuned for more…

“We have worked with Jedi Mind Tricks since 2002 and achieved incredible success together. I am thrilled that we are continuing this partnership and look forward to even greater success. Jedi Mind Tricks has continually impressed me with their brilliant music and now the music of the collective they have built from scratch. The DVD they have created [Divine Fire] is one of the best musician documentaries I have ever seen and is a must-buy collector’s item for any of their fans,” says Babygrande CEO Chuck Wilson.

For more information, please visit:

www.jedi-mind-tricks.com
www.jmthiphop.com
www.babygrande.com
www.crackspace.com/jedimindtricks

Pace Won and Mr. Green
“HIP HOP”
The Only Color That Matters Is Green
Raw Poetix Records
Directed By Phil Sedehi
Cinematography by Lucas Pruchnik
Edited By Jed I. Rosenberg

J-Zone & Chief Chinchilla present…GATOR$-n-FUR$
June 2008: VICTORY!: The 1 year Anniversary Show!

We did it! Gator$-n-Fur$ has put down one year of monthly mayhem with this June show , so we’re gonna celebrate by playing whatever the f**k we want. No theme, just an hour of good music and madness. In true anticlimactic fashion, we’re taking July 2008 off from the show to clear our heads and catch up on real life things. Take that time to check out past shows you missed (download some of the self-proclaimed greatest Gator$-n-Fur$ shows below) and we’ll see you in August! But for now enjoy Victory!!, and celebrate our one year anniversary show with us! (download link)…

And here are a few of our personal favorite Gator$-n-Fur$ shows from the past year. If you want descriptions and flyers, you have to search the web for em, I’m not re-typing and html-ing them sh*ts. Spend July playing catch up!

OCTOBER 2007: THE FREAXXXSHOW

JANUARY 2008: COP HELL

FEBRUARY 2008: AIN’T NO LUV!

MARCH 2008: CHILD’S PLAY

Til August, keep cool

J-Zone aka Mr. Don’t Holla aka $ir Charge aka Gargamel Jones aka DJ No Requests aka Zone Loc aka The Fax Phone Gigolo aka Stop Wearing Sunglasses Indoors Dumb A*s, You Look Stupid

&

Chief Chinchilla aka The DOTO Bird Killa aka The Onion Ring Pimp aka PETA’s Worst Nightmare aka Take Off That Monkey A*s overpriced BAPE Sh*t and Get You A Fur

Tame One’s new album “Da Ol Jersey Bastard,” an ode to Wu Tang’s ODB, will hit stores on July 29, 2008. The album will be entirely produced by Drum and Knowledge of Parallel Thought, and will feature just two guest rappers, Sean Price and Del The Funky Homosapien. This effort will serve as a prelude to Tame’s next project, an ambitious download-only album tentatively titled “Acid Tab Vocab.”

Lawrence, Mass. (June 2, 2008) Veteran in the Boston Hip-Hop Scene, rapper REKS teamed up with DJ Statik Selektah to produce his highly anticipated sophomore album Grey Hairs. With production from the legendary DJ Premier and Large Professor, Grey Hairs is guaranteed to be a modern-day classic!

REKS emerged onto the underground hip-hop scene with the critically acclaimed and fan-favorite “Along Came the Chosen” on Landspeed Records in 2001. The critically acclaimed LP was nominated for Best Hip-Hop Album & Artist of the Year at The Boston Music Awards and was featured in the Source, XXL, Vibe, and URB’s “Next 100″. The album’s single “Skills 101″ reached #45 on the Billboard Singles Chart, putting him on shows and tours with The Clipse, Ghostface Killah, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Redman, De la Soul, Method Man, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Boot Camp Click, JR Writer and one of his idols KRS-One. REKS went on to release the street releases “Rekless” and “Happy Holidays”.

REKS is now ready to release his sophomore studio album “Grey Hairs”. The album is jam-packed with tracks that are both controversial and conscience. The lead-single off the Grey Hairs album is “Say Goodnight” produced by DJ Premier. Another standout is the incredible rap tribute “All In One (5 Mics)” featuring Lil Fame of M.O.P.

Appearing on dozens of mixtapes, radio shows, and Statik’s Spell My Name Right: The Album, REKS spent most of 2007-2008 in the air, flying back and forth to studio sessions in New York and his current residence in South Florida.

“It’s extremely rare nowadays to hear someone as brutally honest as Reks. This album should give hope to many of the hip-hop fans that have yearned for quality” says Statik Selektah.

The momentous album features an all-star production team starting with the legendary DJ Premier, Large Professor, Blaze P, DC The Midi Alien, Soul Theory, DEMOBeatz, 1914 and ten tracks by Statik Selektah. The guest list includes Consequence, Skyzoo, Krumb Snatcha, Termanology, Jon Hope, Paula Campbell, Big Shug and Lucky Dice. Grey Hairs will be available worldwide July 22, 2008 on Showoff/Brick Records.

GREY HAIRS TRACKLIST:

1. Grey Hairs (produced by Blaze P)
2. The One (produced by Statik Selektah)
3. Say Goodnight (produced by DJ Premier)
4. How Can It Be (produced by Statik Selektah)
5. Stages (produced by Large Professor)
6. All In One (5 Mics) ft. Lil Fame of M.O.P. (produced by Blaze
7. Next 2 Me (produced by DC The Midi Alien)
8. Money On The Ave ft. Skyzoo (produced by Soul Theory)
9. Black Cream (The Negro Epidemic) ft. Big Shug (produced by Statik Selektah)
10. Love Sweet Misery (produced by Statik Selektah)
11. Rise (produced by Statik Selektah)
12. Telescope ft. Jon Hope & Lucky Dice (produced by Statik Selektah)
13. Day 2 (produced by Statik Selektah)
14. Premonition ft. Termanology & Consequence (produced by Statik Selektah)
15. My Life ft. Paula Cambell (produced by Blaze P)
16. Cry Baby (produced by Statik Selektah)
17. Long While (produced by 1914)
18. Big Dreamers RMX ft Termanology & Krumb Snatcha (produced by Statik Selektah)
19. Isiah (produced by DEMObeatz)

In my mind, there is nothing better than hip-hop that is not reliant on contributors. When an artist can write dope lyrics and make equally as dope beats, there really is no significance in featuring any outside emcees and/or producers. The entire album is handled by Blueprint and, honestly, it should not be any other way. Blueprint spits on “Too Funkadelic”: “Every time I drop the rhymes are twice as raw, beats twice as dirty as the time before.” Let us know what you think. Why the hell shouldn’t you? It’s free. Download it here.

-Lee Reed