East ATL Theory

Club Mecca - Guard Ya Life! / Remix

2008-03-06T16:52:00.004-05:00

RAW record from this Wisconsin crew released in 1998 on Regime Records. Both tracks are BANGIN'! I'm surprised this hasn't been posted anywhere. They sound like a Wu-affiliate crew. In fact, the original mix sounds like a track that could've easily been on Killarmy's first LP. Great classical piano and vocal sample. I prefer the remix because it sounds original and the beat definitely matches the reflective raps. Very little info about this crew apart from the cd compilation they were featured on for Regime records. Don't pass over this one, in fact, go ahead and grab the copy off www.netsoundsmusic.com ;)

Club Mecca - Guard Ya Life!

Club Mecca - Guard Ya Life! (Remix)

D-Mob - Hot Dayz / Puffla / Dangerous

2008-03-06T15:21:00.006-05:00

It's such a beautiful day here in Atlanta, that it's only fitting I upload D-Mob's "Hot Dayz" 12". Straight out the Boogie Down Bronx, this record came out in 1998 on High Wire Records. "Hot Dayz" is a smooth joint using a familiar sample that I recall being used on a remix of the Hoodratz's "Murdered Ova Nuttin'." Tahmai lends the soulful vocals on the hook. Cool with me, sounds like summer! Next up, "Puffla," is about the joys of everyone's favorite weed, marijuana. Not too bad. The humming looped voice grows on ya, and this happens to be the only instrumental offered on the record. On "Dangerous," D-Mob warns about his streets where "everybody is nobody from a guns point of view." Love the end of the track where the dj cuts up the Prodigy verse. This 12" also serves as a teaser for the full length LP "Gun Town's Finest" featuring D-Mob and his brother Trife. I know many of you are checking for that.

D-Mob - Hot Dayz

D-Mob - Puffla

D-Mob - Dangerous

Foxxx-N-Mayhem - 9 Ways To Get Loot / I Could Never Die

2008-03-06T14:45:00.007-05:00

Lately, I've been digging this grimey New Jersey rap 12" released by Foxxx-N-Mayhem on Warlock Records in 1998. "9 Ways To Get Loot" is the sure shot banger here. Gutter raps about getting cream. Love the piano, horns, and drums on this one. "I Could Never Die" sounds sinister with haunting pianos and a growling voice. Scary. Butch Whip provides the hot beats. Many of you may be familiar with his production on Milkbone's album. This can be found for relatively cheap, so if it's in the dollar bin, don't hesitate to grab.

Foxxx-N-Mayhem - 9 Ways To Get Loot

Foxxx-N-Mayhem - I Could Never Die

Da Phlayva - Why Ask Why / Triple Threat Power

2008-03-06T13:16:00.006-05:00

Continuing with rap records that replace "The" with "Da," I gladly bring you, Da Phlayva, straight out the rap hotbed of North Carolina. Yup. This great 12" was released in 1994 on Vertical Records and distributed by the more familiar, Solar Records. Promo only, I believe. The label was headed by the same guys responsible for NuSouth clothing. I remember the ads in rap magazines. Upon first listen, I instantly recognized the tracks from old college radio (WRAS 88.5) mixtapes, yet I had never known the name of the group. The A-side beat is handled by Robert Dyches and the B-side is blessed by James Wizard and Da Phlayva. Excellent production on both. Definitive '94 sounds. They also have an album, Phlayva 4 Dem All, that I've never come across. Dig it!

Da Phlayva - Why Ask Why

Da Phlayva - Triple Threat Power

Da Nabahood Threat - Off Witcha Head / Coming From Da Dirt / Taste Da Knock

2008-03-06T12:21:00.012-05:00

Coming to a neighbordhood near you... Da Nabahood threat's first 12" released in 1994 on Night Breed Records. RAW shit right here! Two rugged joints and a smooth head nodding instrumental on the final track. Dope beats handled by "Exotic E" for Bumpheadz Productions. Familiar breaks and samples used throughout. Sounds like 1994 :) Favorite joint here is "Off Witcha Head" which utilizes an Indian "snake charmer" flute and an angry Sticky Fingaz sample on the hook "I hate ya guts and I hope that you die!" "Coming From Da Dirt" reminds me of the King Tee & Alkaholiks classic, "I Got It Bad Y'all." I recognize the "Taste Da Knock" sample from Masta Ace's "The I.N.C. Ride" (No End Mix). I may get the instrumentals up later.

Da Nabahood Threat - Off Witcha Head

Da Nabahood Threat - Coming From Da Dirt

Da Nabahood Threat - Taste Da Knock

Pretty Tone Capone - Case Dismissed / Kidnapped / Gangster Shit, Pt. 2

2008-03-03T21:43:00.007-05:00

Harlem gangster, Pretty Tone Capone dropped this HARD 12" in 1992 on Ill Labels, Keys And G's Records. He's part of the infamous Harlem crew, Mob Style, along with Whip Wop, AZ, and Gangster Lou. The latter two rap on this single. All three tracks can be found on Mob Style's second LP, Game of Death. Tone handles the production on the top side while Money Mo$e$ holds it down on the flip. Bangers! My personal favorite, "Gangster Shit, Pt. 2" is uncredited, but it's the final track on the B-side. AZ, Lou, and Tone trade verses over an evolving layered beat littered with fat drums and familiar breaks. Check for Gangster Lou's N.W.A. diss penning them as fake gangsters.

Pretty Tone Capone - Case Dismissed

Pretty Tone Capone - Kidnapped

Mob Style - Gangster Shit, Pt. 2

Powerful - Murder 1

2008-01-29T10:07:00.000-05:00

HARDCORE BANGER RIGHT HERE! RUGGED N' RAW! Here's a lesser known, but one of the hardest tracks released on Mascot Records. Mid-90's classic material. You get two mixes on this 12". The main pass is produced by Storm and the dope drum beat is provided by Carlos Bess (if you don't know, you better ask somebody!). The x-rated mix is handled by Cee-Pop and Greg Hatten. It comes at you much quicker and sounds like it was left off Tim Dog's classic LP "Penicillin On Wax." Both tracks are smokin', but I prefer the smoother main pass with the guitar, horns and piano arrangement. Murder 1, Murder 2, Murder 3, Murder 4
Mess with the P and get sprayed to the floor!
Murder 1, Murder 2, Murder 3, Murder 4
Step to the mic and get sent to the morgue!

Powerful - Murder 1 (Main Pass)

Powerful - Murder 1 (X-Rated Mix)

Nitebreed (The Prince of Darkness) - Meditations On Death / Son Of Set / I Spit Upon Your Grave

2008-01-29T07:35:00.000-05:00

By request, here's a relatively unknown 12" that I came upon a few months ago, Nitebreed aka The Prince of Darkness. I immediately thought of the other Night Breed on Charlemagne's Fortress Entertainment label, but this is nothing of the sort. Dark evil subject matter is the flavor here. If you dig the Gravediggaz, Flatlinerz, Necro or Esham then you'll probably want this. In fact, they diss the Gravediggaz on "I Spit Upon Your Grave" which features The Gravenigguhz. They call out all the "fake demonic niggas, talkin' a lotta bullshit about being back from the grave" and even mention a "grave digga" during the track. This record had to be made around '94-'98, when the Gravediggaz were making noise. Dope production and breaks used on all three tracks. Released on Reality Check Entertainment out of the 718, so I believe these cats are from New York. If you're feeling this, then you may like The Death LP that was posted earlier on my blog.

Nitebreed - Meditations On Death

Nitebreed - Son Of Set

Nitebreed - I Spit Upon Your Grave

2008-01-28T18:22:00.001-05:00

Sleestack'z - Ruination / Crystal Clear

2008-01-24T13:06:00.000-05:00

Pressed up by Ichiban Records in 1996, this is an incredibly overlooked 12" right here. This is the seldom seen orange label pressing with the sticker. You get two tracks with two different mixes and producers for each one. These joints are ridiculous! Roy Ayers is all over this, as well as Lalo Schifrin. Spearhead X and Straight Roots handle the production. Spearhead X is still holding it down in Atlanta. He has worked/produced for De La Soul, Y'all So Stupid, Mass Influence, Erick Sermon, Too Short, and Illegal. Straight Roots is also still producing and writing, but goes by the name of Nomadic. He's produced lately for Prodigy, Pitbull, Dipset, and Franchize. Now, what's up with the mc's? Drop some info. Also, you can still get this for fairly cheap when compared to other "indy/random" joints, so don't hesitate adding it to your crates. Or simply ask me for a spare copy.

Sleestack'z - Ruination (Spearhead X Remix)

Sleestack'z - Ruination (Straight Roots Album Edit)

Sleestack'z - Crystal Clear (Spearhead X Remix)

Sleestack'z - Crystal Clear (Straight Roots Album Edit)

Ace C Ducey - Pop Ya Trunks

2008-01-24T12:02:00.000-05:00

Here's another hard one to track down, released in 1994 by Roebuck Records out of Philly. Around the same time, Masta Ace was rolling in a jeep with a cock diesel system. In contrast, Mr. Ducey was pushing a hatchback. Reminds me of high school. Herbs telling me I should throw a couple 10" woofers in my Honda CRX. Whatever. This record is DOPE. It was a time when the focus was on the kind of stereo system you had, rather than the kind of whip you were pushing. Booming speakers trumped all. Prep-A-Red lends a hand with the vocals. Will fit well in any mid-90's upbeat mix. POP YA TRUNKS!

Ace C Ducey - Pop Ya Trunks

Ace C Ducey - Pop Ya Trunks (Instrumental)

Stressed Out - Bullets Flyin' / Jazzy Wit Da' Joint

2008-01-24T02:03:00.000-05:00

Dope indy released in 1995 on Radical Records. I love this 12". Each side has a different vibe. "Bullets Flyin'" is a rough ra-ra beat to make you throw your guns in the air, while "Jazzy Wit Da' Joint" is a smooth head nodder that will have you waving blunts in the air. I prefer the latter. This is the Promo release and differs from the other two copies (commercial release & picture disc) I've seen online. If you want to know more about this 12", then check in with the good guys over at Vinyl Addicts who provide a nice write up for this record, and many others you've never heard or laid eyes upon.

Stressed Out - Jazzy Wit Da' Joint

Stressed Out - Bullets Flyin'

P.O.D. (Poets of Darkness) - P.O.D. Court / J.A.S.O.N.

2008-01-24T01:40:00.000-05:00

Most commonly known for appearing on the New Jersey Drive soundtrack. This 12" was released later in 1998 by Gowanuz Projects Records. DOPE production by Spunk Bigga!

Poets of Darkness - P.O.D. Court

Poets of Darkness - J.A.S.O.N.

Maja League - Organized Crime / Guard U Now / Shine Like The Sun

2008-01-24T00:52:00.000-05:00

Incredibly dope 12" released in 1997 on the indy label, Southeast Entertainment. A-side's the winner here, but the flip holds it's own too. Four producers, Eric "Time Bomb" Jordan, Charles "4/4" Billups, Torey "The Incredible Cae Gotcha" Thorpe, and Darrel Monroe, lay the beats for three man team to come through and smash 'em. RUGGED N' RUGGED NY INDY. Nearly passed this over thinking it was a Major League Entertainment 12" (Cash Brown, Tribeca). Only wish I had a cleaner copy. Haven't seen many clips of this floating around the net, so enjoy!

Maja League - Organized Crime

Maja League - Guard U Now

Maja League - Shine Like The Sun

Buddah Tye feat. Slade Savage - Money Matters

2008-01-23T23:55:00.001-05:00

Another mixtape burner, this time from Buddah Tye, repping Corona, Queens. Slade Savage also spits on the track. Bezo, who produced Slade Savage's 12" on Hydra Entertainment and both mixes of Screwball's "Beat 'Em On The Head," cooks up the track with a funky guitar and familiar P gunna vocal sample. Released in 1997 on Double Down Records, this is not an easy one to track down. Dope indy flavor right here.

Buddah Tye feat. Slade Savage - Money Matters

WOODSMOKEROC (W.S.R.P.) - EP - Black Paper Recordings

2008-01-23T14:50:00.000-05:00

1998. A five man crew that's takin' no shorts. Released on private label, Black Paper Recordings, New York City. Check for the Cheers sample. Digging the trumpet sample on another track.

WOODSMOKEROC - Critical Concepts

WOODSMOKEROC - Salute

WOODSMOKEROC - N 2 A Room

WOODSMOKEROC - Revolution

Mudd - Murda Outcha Speaker

2008-01-20T15:12:00.001-05:00

Flatbush BANGER! RUGGED MIXTAPE MONSTER from 1994. I know he has another 12", but that's about it. ???

Mudd - Murda Outcha Speaka

4 Iza Cru - I Know Ya Style / Boriqua Skinz

2007-10-25T03:01:00.000-04:00

'95 FLAVOR IN YA EAR! 4 Iza Cru out of the 718 released on Rukus Records. They sound like young dudes; Kid Dynamite, Steve Lover, DJ Furious, and another mc.

Dope production on both sides. The first track, "I Know Ya Style" is produced by M-Tri out of Brooklyn. He's still producing and has a myspace page. The track is built around this verse, "I know your style, I've seen it before, You wear an army suit, now you think you're hardcore" from "The Shit is Real" by Fat Joe. They're calling out fake crews. Nice.

On the flip, "Boriqua Skinz" is about the type of honeys they like. No argument here. This joint is produced by Hotdog and is built around what sounds to be a a Greg Nice sample that I can't quite distinguish. Another banger that may have been given more play and shown up on a few more mixes.

At the end of "I Know Ya Style" they shout out Big Dave on the board, RNS (not sure if it's the producer), and Snagglepuss, the cat (no pun intended) that rapped on Brand Nubian's "Step Into Da Cipher" and the "All Men Are Dogs" track that had too many mc's on it

Has this crew released any other records or have you seen anything else put out by Rukus Records? I believe they're from Brooklyn. It's a nice record, yet I've found very little info. Enjoy.

4 Iza Cru - I Know Ya Style

4 Iza Cru - Boriqua Skinz

Brother Arthur - What You Gonna Do / Year Of The "9"

2007-10-17T16:18:00.000-04:00

Another piece of dope hip hop from the mid 90's. Brother Arthur (Arthur 4X) repping the Zulu Nation drops knowledge on both cuts over ILL production provided by himself and Chuck Chillout. On the Hip side, "What You Gonna Do," Brother Arthur urges the community to take notice what's going on in the hood, get organized and fight "the plan." Nice beat and an even better message. Real hip hop right here! On the Flip side, "Year Of The '9'" Arthur warns that the streets are more dangerous than ever. No more toe to toe or blow for blow to settle beef. Kids are packin' tools. Dope eerie sample on this. A much darker moody beat. Instantly, you'll recognize the same sample from Jeru's "Come Clean." Also, a nice Guru vocal sample, "it's a daily operation" tossed in for added flavor.

C-YA Entertainment / Nott-Us records pressed this one up. Co-production credits go to Ramon "Bro Sham" and Lionel "Big Geno" McKee for Bald Nation Production. Big Geno's the dude on the cuts. Check for a couple vocal samples that were used by DJ Premier. "Ohhhh, so that's where the sample came from."

Brother Arthur - What You Gonna Do

Brother Arthur - Year Of The "9"

Mop Top - Forever (Verbal Assault) / I'm Alright / Move Ya Body

2007-10-17T14:43:00.001-04:00

"It's the crew with the dreadlocks called the Mop Top!" I copped this record many years ago in Savannah, GA. I remembered the name from appearances on the Stretch & Bobbito Show. This record doesn't disappoint. DOPE BEATS! Mid 90's steez. Brooklyn in the house! Released in 1996 on Break A Dawn Records. The posse joint, Forever (Verbal Assault) features Big Grei, Nine, Diablo, Freestyle & Inner Soul. KRS ONE is sampled at the end while Spin One scratches the Show & AG "Next Level" verse "showing all these corny motherfuckers what hip hop’s supposed to sound like". I couldn't agree more, Andre. Check for the nasal white guy impersonation when dude says "got white people saying 'damn right that's good flavor'."

The B-side gives ya two NOGGIN NODDERS. "I'm Alright" hits you first. The dude kickin' the second verse drops it heavy on "female savages." Spin One blesses you with another scratched hook coupled with a Slick Rick vocal sample. "Move Ya Body" is another HEATER. Again, with a scratched vocal this time sampling Biggie Smalls. When the AL Skratch sample comes in, "nobody move nobody get shot" during a verse, that's when I tend to move my body, well, raise my drink up and wave it side to side while nodding in accordance. Good stuff.

Buddha Stretch is credited with production while co-production credits on "I'm Alright" go to Caleaf Sellers and Will-Do. Many people are familiar with Break A Dawn's other releases from Ten Thieves. I personally like this record better than either of those. Anyways, enjoy the clips and judge for yourself.

Mop Top - Forever (Verbal Assault) feat. Big Grei, Nine, Diablo, Freestyle & Inner Soul.

Mop Top - I'm Alright

Mop Top - Move Ya Body

Death - Possessed By The Ouija Board

2007-10-17T03:07:00.000-04:00

This is probably my favorite album I've picked up in the past year. Released on MOBO JOE Records in 1993. The beats and samples on this are RIDICULOUS! Pure gutter New Orleans. FOUL...and EVIL...and BASSSSSSS!!! C'mon, look at the record! There's a damn pentagram on the B side! This ain't Slayer, but it rocks! BANGIN' BEATS! Gunshots and screams everywhere. You don't wanna play this around your parents. Was that Tom Scott's, "Today?" Was that Pete Rock & CL Smooth? Was that Rodney O & Joe Cooley? Was that sample from a Lucio Fulci horror flick? Yessir! These cats were sampling EVERYTHING! Check the clips. A couple dope joints where the beat keeps switching up. Just check 'em. I can go on and on about this record.

Death - Possessed By The Ouija Board (Side A)
Side A:
Death Stro
Night Deamon
Life As A Psycho
Possessed (Daytime)
Crazy Nigah
Just My Imagination

Death - Possessed By The Ouija Board (Side B)
Side B:
Too Much Bass
Murder Madness
F--kin With A Lunatic
Possessed (Nightime)
Ya'll Need To Understand

Dangerouz Waters - NYCPD

2007-10-13T14:45:00.000-04:00

Again, very little info about these dudes, so that's why I'm posting it. Real Player's uk site (wtf) has this info, "A duo repping for the Bronx and Harlem, Jai-Hi and Charlie Waters serve up catchy joints sure to get the club crowd moving. Crisp, trebly beats and strong keyboards back their sharp, back-and-forth flows that address street shadiness, party vibes, and playa skills. "NYCPD" is definitely a catchy beat and that's the main reason I'm posting. It was released promo only by MCA Records in 1998. Not many people know about it, but those that do aren't letting it go for cheap either. Also, they have an album, Step In The Club, released in 1999 by Blackhorse Enterprise Records. Nice cover art. :/

Enjoy the track plus the instrumental.

Dangerouz Waters - NYCPD

Dangerouz Waters - NYCPD (Instrumental)

Raw Footage - The Final Call / Stay Tuned

2007-10-13T13:23:00.000-04:00

The crew is Raw Footage and I believe this is their only release. As you can see, the label gives ya nothing. I think it was released in '97 or '98, but on the B-side they preface the first verse with "for the '96 shot. Pressed up by the New Jersey Electronic label, SOM Underground. Sub-label is EMO. The dope intro sets it off with a nice verse over a simple smooth beat. "The Final Call" was one of my favorite mixtapes joints at the time. "Last days/Illuminati" rap is the flavor. Goes well with a copy of Behold a Pale Horse. On a Boogiemonsters type tip. On the flip, they're calling out fake mc, Versace wearing, John Gotti wannabes. Also, what could be a reference to the Boot Camp Clik on "Stay Tuned".

You came to play in the game of last days
For all frauds
Actin all hard from Punktown
Thinkin' they the shit now
Fuck all the drama
Some n*ggas pack armor to regulate
These falsified mindstates
Of these rappers who think they're gunclappers and criminals
But that lifestyle is minimal

Perhaps, referencing "Bucktown" home of the Originoo Gun Clappaz? That verse was penned in '96, so it would be around the time that BCC was making noise. Then again, it could be aimed at anyone, as this was the flavor of so many underground records being released at that time.

Jersey heads, any info on these dudes? And who did the beats!? Holler!

Raw Footage - Intro

Raw Footage - The Final Call

Raw Footage - Stay Tuned

Harlem High Records - Downlow "Hands On Ya Pumpz" / "Buddah Nation" feat. Downlow, Zhigge, Figures Of Speech, Ghetto Dwellers & Nadine

2007-10-13T12:31:00.000-04:00

Another mid-90's sleeper, off of Harlem High Records. Downlow repping Brooklyn are taking no shorts on this 12". They run all over this hot beat produced by Milo Johnson with the familiar Cypress Hill sample in the hook. UK connection as Milo Johnson/DJ Milo is an OG member of Massive Attack and The Wild Bunch. I've got a "Friends & Countrymen" 12" lying around here somewhere from The Wild Bunch and it's a dope joint, so it's not surprising he laced these cats from NYC. On the double A-side were hit with a ridiculous posse cut, "Buddah Nation." They expound about joys of puffing trees. Reminds me of college. They smoke this track (lame pun intended) for nearly 6 minutes. Another head nodder. Engineered by old school hip hop pioneer, Brooklyn's own Cutmaster DC and a dude named Greg. Mixed at D & D Studios. BLAZIN'! (another lame pun :)

Downlow - Hands On Ya Pumpz

Buddah Nation feat. Downlow, Zhigge, Figures Of Speech, Ghetto Dwellers & Nadine

DFC - Digga Bigga Ditch (Remixes by Evil D & DJ Slip)

2007-10-12T16:13:00.000-04:00

I had to leave New York with this one and take you over to Flint, Michigan, where DFC calls home. Some of you may be familiar with DFC as he's the same cat (I always thought it was a crew) who ran with MC Breed. I copped this 12" off the strength of the Evil D remix. I wonder how that came about? Perhaps, the connection with Big Beat and the Beatminerz's presence on the Artifacts second album? Rob "Reef" Tewlow mixed this 12" and was invloved with the Artifacts as the Executive Producer on both LP's and also produced the "Art of Scratch (Intro)" on their second album. Released in 1994 on Big Beat / Assault Records. It appears that DJ Slip handled the original production and then remixed it adding a piano and smoothing it out some. I'm giving you the original which is stripped down and more RAW. But, I'll bless you with a piano courtesy of the Beatminerz's Evil D. Dig it!

DFC - Digga Bigga Ditch (Original)

DFC - Digga Bigga Ditch (Evil D Remix)

DNA - Bronx Criminal County / 2 Ounces & A Dream / My Shit Iz Tight

2007-10-12T13:13:00.000-04:00

Blessing you with another Bronx BANGER! Very little is known about this group, DNA (Devon, Noah, Allah). JR Ewing gave them some shine on one of his mixes and for good reason. This a seriously dope record released by Red Zone Recordings. A definitive mid-late 90's indie/underground NYC 12". All three tracks are ill. On the A Side, "Bronx Criminal County" is produced by Garth "Dread" Mitchell. On the hook, Havoc's "criminal mind thirsty for recognition" is sampled.

The B-Side comes at you with "2 Ounces & A Dream" featuring Boo & Reality of Hedkrak. Dudes are rapping about coming up in the dope game. Nice piano. Was anything ever released by the Hedkrak crew? They round out things with "My Shit Iz Tight." The subject matter is self explanatory. And another smokin' beat. Production on this side is handled by, I believe, the artist themselves, D. Gray & N. Tillman for DNA FUNCTION and M. Marcelle for SPADES Entertainment. Recorded and mixed at Da Cave, which also sounds familiar.

On a side note, are there two 12"s released by this crew? I've also seen on want lists this same record, yet a track "Nowhere to Run" replaces "2 Ounces & A Dream" and the date is 1997. On the Bronx Criminal County intro they call out '96. Just wondering.

DNA - Bronx Criminal County

DNA - 2 Ounces & A Dream
What I believed was crackle is simply the piano sample. Heh.

DNA - My Shit Iz Tight

Troubleneck Brothers - Release Me EP

2007-10-12T11:56:00.001-04:00

Online info tells me that this EP was released in 1994, but my record sleeve says 1993. Bronx natives the Troubleneck Brothers are most commonly known for their CLASSICS "Back to Hip Hop" or "Troubleneck Wreck," both of which had videos on BET. They released a few singles on StepSun Entertainment only to fade into obscurity due to label politricks. A familiar story with a lot of dope hip hop from the era. These cats were RUGGED & RAW. My pick is the title track "Release Me" (the Gunslingers) which sets the EP off with that familiar grimey & gritty sound. The "streets is real, gotta stay strapped" is the message here. "85 Live" slows it down as they reflect on their youth. Another great track.

On the flip you're hit with "But I'm A Lax" a track which is a tribute to their deceased brothers and those still maintaining in the hood surviving the game. They're stressing to remain calm rather than get hyped about nonsense. Reminds me of some DJ Quik production from the same era. Smooth stuff. Everyday it's the same ol' thing, cause I don't know what the next day might bring (But, I'ma Lax) I wanna rest my head, before I end up dead. "862" is another laid back track. I believe 862 is the block they grew up on in the Bronx and they're showing love to their brothers from around the way.

Another hard one to track down right here. Promo only. These dudes have been labeled "East Coast Hardcore" by many so it's nice to see 'em slow it down a bit on this. Still, the joint here for me is the upbeat BANGER "Release Me." Makes me wanna body someone. WHAT! WHAT! ;)

Troubleneck Brothers - Release Me

Troubleneck Brothers - 85 Live

Troubleneck Brothers - But I'm A Lax

Troubleneck Brothers - 862

Earplay Entertainment EP

2007-10-09T20:40:00.000-04:00

Pressed up in 1996 by Earplay Entertainment out of Brooklyn, this may be their first and only release. The intro by Oliver Twist repping BX is way too short, but utilizes a familiar sample and instantly validates the officialness of this record. After that, Khenya steps up with some r&b crap. NEXT! The final joint on side A is a track that some of you may have heard, HitMan's "Die 4 My Iggaz." Coming from Brooklyn, he's letting cats know that he's down for his team and not droppin' dime on his fam. On the B side we get a female mc, Dezert Storm, boasting a familiar steez; a woman that's about lyrics rather than material items. I skip over most female mc's, but "Operation Dezert Storm" is brief and she runs over the track nicely. Strictly Homicidal ends it on a high note letting dudes know they're out for the cream on "Just Imagin'." Check the flute and the whistle that comes in every so often. Smokin'!

One of the biggest surprises about this 12" is the production. DOPE BEATS! All songs are produced and mixed by CINQUE Coleman with co-production credits going to Akin "Ock" Jackson on the Khenya joint.

Oliver Twist - Earplay Intro

HitMan - Die 4 My Iggaz

Operation Dezert Storm - Dezert Storm feat. CINQUE

Strictly Homicidal - Just Imagin'

Holler at me with any info or drop a line and let me know if you're diggin' it. Peace.