Rakim :: The Seventh Seal
Ra Records/SMC Recordings
Author: Steve 'Flash' Juon

"In days of old a new Eric B. & Rakim album would be cause for euphoric celebration. In days not so old a Rakim solo album would be eagerly anticipated as the return of a rap legend. In days of recent new Rakim gets a "eh" reaction from jaded hip-hop heads who think he's past his prime and no reaction at all from rap fans too young to have HEARD his prime. That's a damn shame given the lead single "Walk These Streets" paired the R with Maino, a modern day rapper who is surprisingly well prepared to be a successor to Ra as a storyteller."

http://www.rapreviews.com/feature.html

Almost September :: The Almost September EP :: One Records/Neo/Sony
as reviewed by Matt Jost

"Almost September is J-Lee, MC Lyte and Whitey. Wait, did I just say MC Lyte? I meant - no, I really meant MC Lyte. Unlike other hip-hop heroes from times past the Brooklyn legend popped up every now and then, but Almost September is her most professional return since "Bad As I Wanna B" back in '96. The Almost September project is the result of a chance meeting during the recording of Macy Gray's '07 album "Big." The three hit it off immediately, which led to the spontaneous creation of their first song "Beautiful." As a production/writing team (sometimes credited as Whiteleaf Productions), J-Lee (Jared Lee Gosselin) and Whitey (Phillip White) have brought you songs such as Cheri Dennis' "Alright", Chingy's "Kick Drum", India.Arie's "Wings of Forgiveness," or Floetry's "I'll Die." While their extended list of clients is even more impressive, Almost September make it clear that this collaboration isn't limited to one strategized song designed in a boardroom."

http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2009_11_almostsept.html

DMgee! dungMeistergeneRal :: Old Man Street Corner :: Charma Recordz
as reviewed by Steve 'Flash' Juon

"I regret to say DMG is one of the most definitive cases of ANTI-charisma I've ever heard. To get a general idea of why he utterly fails imagine someone who sounds the least bit vaguely similar to LL Cool J doing his whispered flow from "Phenomenon" - then imagine he does it for a WHOLE ALBUM. DMG seems genetically incapable of raising his voice, putting any emphasis on a single bar he speaks, and often starts a bar only to get quieter as he's spitting it. The hallway closet DMG seems to have recorded this album in didn't improve matters. The vocals bounce around, double up and overlap in ways that were undoubtedly intended to be artistic - they're just annoying though."

http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2009_11_oldmanstreetcorner.html

iLL-Literacy :: iB4the1.1 :: digit.ILL.funk
as reviewed by Emanuel Wallace

"A couple of weeks ago, I thought I had received an extremely oversized packet of tropical punch flavored Kool-Aid. Even more weird was the fact that I had actually purchased the traditional sized packet earlier in the day. However, to my surprise (and slight disappointment), it was the first release from Oakland trio, iLL-Literacy. The group consists of Dahlak, Drizzletron and N.I.C., and seems to draw influences from any and everything, ranging from afrobeat to X-Men. The self-proclaimed Ritalin babies have decided to release their album in three separate chapters, for the benefit of any others like themselves who lack the ability to sit still long enough to listen to an entire release at one time."

http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2009_11_ib411.html

D.O. :: Stay Driven :: Northstarr Entertainment
as reviewed by Susan 'susiQ' Kim

"Toronto emcee D.O. (Defy the Odds) has been a definite trendsetter while setting a Guinness World Record for the longest freestyle rap of 8 hours and 45 minutes in 2003, as others followed his lead and was finally beat by emcee Supernatural in 2006 with 9 hours of freestyling. Nonetheless, his feat created media frenzy and aided in D.O.'s exposure as his ventured out traveling throughout Canada and parts of the United States. In addition to his mix tapes sold while performing abroad, D.O. debuted his full length album, "The Northstarr," in 2007 and with it came various Canadian awards and nominations. Alongside his solo endeavors, D.O. is also an integral part to the duo of Art of Fresh together with Slakah the Beatchild."

http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2009_11_DOstaydriven.html

Madecipha :: Word Is Bond :: Long Range Distribution
as reviewed by Louis Cloutier

"It's fair to assume that most of you don't know who Madecipha is. He is an obscure artist trying to make it in an obscure genre. I'm not alluding to Hip-Hop here, but rather one of its red-headed stepchildren: horrorcore rap. With "Word Is Bond", Madecipha follows in the footsteps of artists like Gravediggaz, Esham and the roster of Psychopathic Records. While I can hardly be considered an expert in this genre, it is with enthusiasm and open-mindedness that I will proceed to review this young musician's debut LP. What immediately caught my attention when I received this album was the Pen & Pixel-style graphics used to make the cover. For those who don't know what I'm referring to, Pen & Pixel is the design team behind the legendary artwork of such camps as Cash Money, No Limit and 8ball & MJG. Gold frame, fake glittering effects, cash...all that's missing from this album cover is the white tigers and luxury cars."

http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2009_11_madwordisbond.html

O.C. & A.G. :: Oasis :: D.I.T.C/Nature Sounds
as reviewed by Patrick Taylor

"First off, this isn't a review of the entire album of "Oasis," but rather a four-track press advance for the album, which should come out on November 24th. I say "should" because it's original October 27th release date already came and went with no album. Secondly, I'm not familiar with A.G. or O.C., I've never listened to Showbiz and A.G.,  and I don't own anything by the Digging in the Crates Crew (D.I.T.C.). Not because I have anything against them, understand, but we've just never crossed paths. Finally, I'm not a huge fan of the hardcore East Coast style of rap that O.C. and A.G. specialize in. I respect it, but It's not my thing."

http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2009_11_ocagoasis.html

Oh No :: Dr. No's Ethiopium :: Stones Throw Records
as reviewed by Patrick Taylor

"Oh No's beat record "Dr. No's Oxperiment" was one of my favorite records of 2007, and I loved hearing his beats turn up on Mos Def's last album, and I was excited when I heard that his next project was a beat record based on Ethiopian music. So excited that I almost ordered the special version complete with a pound of Ethiopian coffee from Intelligentsia coffee. See, while I enjoyed the Mediterranean psych music that Oh No sampled on "Oxperiment," I love Ethiopian funk and jazz. It's funky, grooving, but totally unique. It's form and instruments are much different than Western music, so it's recognizable yet exotic. It's the perfect source for hip hop beats, and it's high time a producer mine some Egyptian crates."

http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2009_11_drnosethiopium.html

Phatchance :: Inkstains :: {self-released}
as reviewed by Eric Sirota

"Put some shrimp on the barbie, Mate, because it's time to dig into "Inkstains," the new release from prominent Australian MC/producer Chance Waters, aka Phatchance. The LP is his second solo release, though he has been featured alongside a bunch of famous Australian rappers that you haven't heard of and I hadn't heard of until I read the "Chance Waters" Wikipedia entry. Indeed, I'm not too familiar with the rap from Down Under, but if Chance is representative, then Australia-hop seems to takes its cues from the U.S. This is neither surprising nor problematic. Hip-hop is an American art form, and while it is great that South Africa put its own spin on rap with Kwaito, and England did its own thing with Grime, it would border on bigotry to expect every rapper from another country to bring something totally new to the table simply because they are foreign."

http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2009_11_phatinkstains.html

Slug & MURS :: Felt 3: A Tribute to Rosie Perez :: Rhymesayers Entertainment
as reviewed by Steve 'Flash' Juon

"2009 has been the year for new rap supercombos to take the industry by storm, from regional teams like KRS-One & Buckshot to nationwide collaborations like Slaughterhouse. All of these groups have awakened a slumbering hip-hop fanbase, but when one examines the recent history of 21st century rap Felt pre-dated the trend and may have set the example for all to come. Few people would have imagined the dope results to emerge when Minnesota and California collided, but two successful albums later MURS has vowed that his Northern compatriot Slug is the rapper he likes working with the most. It ain't hard to tell when you listen to their previous collaborations - Slug & MURS bounce raps off each other like an underground Run-D.M.C. They alternate bars and verses, finish each other's punchlines, and construct complex songs like one body with two heads - different personalities that still work together towards a common goal."

http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2009_11_felt3rosie.html

Willy Northpole :: Tha Connect :: Disturbing Tha Peace
as reviewed by Justin 'Tha Shiznute' Chandler

"This one came in completely off the radar. Whether it was because of a lack of interest in the artist, bad marketing, or the death of music legend Michael Jackson, that detracted from Willy Northpole's debut "Tha Connect" from getting its proper dues, the lack of sales is glaring. One has to wonder what kind of impact Willy would have if he ended up on G-Unit, which seemed oh so likely only a few years back. Don't count him out yet though, in part because of the high quality of this freshman foray into the rap game."

http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2009_11_northpoleconnect.html

Welcome back for another new edition of Hip-Hop Shop! On Episode 58 we feature new music from DJ Dbefekt, Homeboy Sandman, Obie Trice and more! If you would like to sponsor Hip-Hop Shop please send an e-mail to dj.flash@rapreviews.com for more information. Hip-Hop Shop features podsafe music, so distribute the show and tell your friends to check us out every week at RapReviews.com! Special thanks to Odin Smith Labs for providing background music for our show.

Download Here (right click to save)

Tracks featured this week:

* DJ Dbefekt f/ Reks, Termanology - Raised on Classics
* Souls of Mischief - Proper Aim
* Homeboy Sandman - Angels With Dirty Faces
* Obie Trice - I Am
* Trinity - Roc Raida Tribute
* Top $ Raz - Spilled Milk
* DMC - I Am a King

From K-Murdock:

Amidst all the shopping madness going on at malls and across the internet today, I figure I'd attempt to "cash-in" (pun intended), and let you all know about some music I'm selling over on my bandcamp site.  First off, is last year's Panacea album, "A Mind on Ship through Time", which includes BOTH the vocal & instrumental versions for $9.99...


Next, is an album full of my pre-Panacea productions- "Memories of M.A.W.S.L.O.T.", which contains 14 tracks of songs recorded between 2001 - 2004 for only $4.99...


Lastly, i have posted up my forthcoming album, "Breaks, Rhythms & Loops" in its entirety for preview purposes.  It will be available for download exclusively through Bandcamp beginning December 1st, and there is also a link up to buy 1 of the limited copies of the CD version too...


Oh yeah, for those who haven't signed up to my mailing list, you may want to as there is a coupon code i'm giving out that will get u a nice discount on a cd or piece of vinyl at the official Neosonic Merch Store.  Please forgive me if this comes off as shameless soliciting, I'm just trying to push some good music you all's way!

Thanx,
K

--
Posted By K-Murdock to NEOSONIC PRODUCTIONS

From Chris at Koch Records:

Juvenile talking about his new album “Cocky & Confident” includes why he wrote it, everything being right about the timing, album title and more…

* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3PC0M3LWUA *



Cocky & Confident
In Stores
December 1st, 2009

In Store CD Signing in New Orleans on Tuesday December 1st

Odyssey Records 4 to 6PM
1012 Canal Street
New Orleans LA 70112-2506
504 523-3506

From Audible Treats:

A Day In The Life Of One Of Oakland's Finest, Jern Eye      11.25.2009
Follow Jern From The Studio To The Stage In New Video

The Video:

With Jern Eye continually hustling to keep his buzz growing and promoting his new album, Vision, the Oakland emcee has decided to start a new series of videos in which fans get to see a day in the life of Jern and how he gets down. The first video starts off with Jern working hard in the studio, spitting a new verse over a Keelay & Zaire produced track. The video then picks up outside a radio station in downtown Oakland where Jern delivers some exclusive treats to DJ's Plantum and Ambush, including a never before heard remix of "Get Down" featuring perennial West Coast group The Pharcyde. The radio interview ends with Jern Eye speaking on his upcoming performance that same night at Paradise Lounge in San Francisco. The tour moves on to Jern's performance but not without a spot of bother, as we witness a mix-up with the SFPD outside the venue. Not even San Francsico's finest can stop Jern though, as he graces the stage at Paradise Lounge and delivers a highly energetic set with fans rocking along with the Oakland emcee line for line. Don't forget to pick up your copy of Jern Eye's sophomore album, Vision, available nowvia MYX Music Label.

Watch the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTFgsk8EAEM .



The Background:

Los Angeles native Jern Eye began crafting his skills early on at freestyle battles in famous L.A. clubs. Jern formed the staple west coast group, Lunar Heights, with friend and fellow emcee Spear Of The Nation shortly after high school, and the group eventually migrated north to Oakland to join the Bay Area's flourishing independent hip-hop scene. Once in the Bay, the group was joined by Khai Sharrieff as they began making a name for themselves opening for a number of well known groups, including Crown City Rockers, The Pharcyde, The Procussions, and more. The group subsequently released their solo effort, Crescent Moon, to high acclaim. Jern followed three years later with his solo debut, Authentic Vintage, in 2006, and toured with Hieroglyphics and Living Legends as a result of the album's success. Jern Eye's sophomore album, Vision, features production from !llmind, Jake One, Keelay & Zaire, DJ Vinroc, Def Supreme, Phil Jahns, and Artek, and collaborations with artists Cali Agents, Mistah F.A.B., Zion I, Guilty Simpson, Nightclubber Lang, and more looks to make the case for Jern's upward movement as a legitimate hip-hop talent on a national level. Vision is available now via MYX Music Label.

From Tonia Samman:

Royce Da 5’9” Drops Free iTunes Single of the Week

Fresh off his latest release Street Hop, Detroit MC Royce Da 5’9” continues to garner attention.  His new single, “Something 2 Ride 2,” is the “Single of the Week” on iTunes starting today, so you can grab it for free all week right here.

Featuring collaborations with such legends as DJ Premier, Bun B, and Busta Rhymes, Street Hop is arguably Royce’s best project to date.

Download and share Royce Da 5’9”’s “Something 2 Ride 2” from Street Hop [MIC Records/One Records]:

* http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/something-2-ride-2-single-week/id341185733 *

Download and share Royce Da 5’9”’s “New Money” from Street Hop [MIC Records/One Records]:

* http://dailyrindblog.com/audio/royceda59_newmoney.mp3 *

About Royce Da 5’9”

Royce, a legend in his own right, began his career by battling his way through the Detroit underground scene, hitting open mics at Maurice Malone’s renowned Hip Hop Shop and the C-Note Lounge. This would all lead to him meeting a then up-and-coming fellow Detroit rapper, Eminem. The two began recording together, and one of their collaborations, the track “Bad Meets Evil,” made its way onto Eminem’s eponymous debut, The Slim Shady LP.

Now, not only is Royce a famed solo artist himself, but one-fourth of the hip-hop supergroup, Slaughterhouse, which also includes, Joe Budden, Crooked I and Joell Ortiz.  Stay tuned as Royce and his counterparts look to bring back the essence of the MC – a unique and rare combination of lyrical skill, musical prowess, artistic integrity, vocal control and a mastered flow.

Tracklist:
01 Gun Harmonizing (featuring Crooked I)
02 Count For Nothing
03 Soldier (featuring Kid Vishis)
04 Something 2 Ride 2 (featuring Phonte)
05 Dinner Time (featuring Busta Rhymes)
06 Far Away
07 The Warriors (featuring Slaughterhouse)
08 …A Brief Intermission (Skit)
09 New Money
10 Shake This
11 Gangsta (featuring Trick Trick)
12 Mine In Thiz (featuring Mr. Porter)
13 Street Hop 2010
14 Thing For Your Girlfriend (featuring Kay Young)
15 On The Run
16 Murder
17 Bad Boy (featuring Jungle Rock Jr.)
18 Part Of Me
19 Hood Love (featuring Bun B & Joell Ortiz)

For More Information:

* http://www.myspace.com/roycefivenine *
* http://twitter.com/roycedafive9 *

WORLD PREMIERE: KRS-ONE & BUCKSHOT'S "SURVIVAL SKILLS" MUSIC VIDEO:
From Their Collaborative Album SURVIVAL SKILLS In Stores Now