[NEW] Disclosure – Latch (DJ Premier Remix)

Disclosure
Latch (DJ Premier Remix)

The burst of music released over the holidays has commenced and, of all the tunes under the tree, Disclosure‘s upcoming Settle remix album has us especially excited. Today, after an impressive first glimpse, the UK-based electronic duo let loose the highly anticipated rework of “Latch” by legendary hip-hop producer DJ Premier. While the original is an addicting masterpiece in itself, Premier slows the tempo down and adds a D’Angelo-esque piano melody with steady percussion making for a new-age take on the classic R&B of the 90s. The Settle remix album drops December 17th.

Related items:

[Hip-Hop] BET Hip-Hop Awards 2013: The Cyphers

The BET Hip-Hop Awards finally aired earlier tonight, and while I personally am not a huge fan of the show, there’s one segment that I eagerly anticipate every year: The Cyphers. The Cyphers are really where the event truly shines, bringing together some of the most talented emcees in the game, underground and mainstream. This year’s lineup is certainly a formidable one, featuring the likes of TDE, A$AP MobSlaughterhouseAction BronsonTravi$ ScottRittzJon Connor, and even some jokes courtesy of J.B. SmooveKevin Hart, and Nick Cannon. Check out the cyphers below, and let us know who you think went in the hardest (we’re guessing the popular answer will be Kendrick Lamar).

Top Dawg Entertainment (ScHoolboy Q, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, Isaiah Rashad, Kendrick Lamar)

Watch the rest of The Cyphers after the jump

Related items:

The Hip-Hop Dojo [Vol. 5]

You know what time it is, folks. The Hip-Hop Dojo is back for its fifth installment. Typically, we try to separate the playlist based on certain themes or sounds, but this week’s crop is our largest and most unique ever, making it tough to group everything together, but we tried our best. There is one pervasive idea that seems to shine throughout a majority of this playlist though, which is “keeping it real.”

This week’s edition is a revival of sorts, featuring plenty of industry veterans, and a few names you probably haven’t heard in quite awhile. We start things off with De La Soul, fresh off a 10 year hiatus to provide the game with some toughness once again. Channeling the “Spirit of the Wu,” the trio show us they haven’t lost a step as they go in over a sample of the “Intro” from Wu-Tang Forever. While De La Soul represents the Wu in spirit, Raekwon represents them for real on Statik Selektah‘s new single, “Bird’s Eye View.” Along with fast-rising youngster Joey Bada$$, and the criminally underrated Black Thought, the Chef and crew absolutely merk the soulful instrumental as they give us an idea of the view from above. Next up, we listen as another holdover from the 90’s, DJ Premier, pays homage to his Gang Starr running mate, Guru, alongside the great Talib Kweli and producer Marco Polo. Our next few songs carry on with the 90’s vibes. Honestly, the only way you can tell these piano-backed tracks are from 2013 is by their pop culture references.

Now, our next track might seem a bit controversial to some of you out there. I don’t normally endorse rappers spitting over classic instrumentals, but XXL Freshman, Logic, shows us he’s more than worthy of his new title over Outkast‘s “Ms. Jackson.” I’m still having a hard time trying to resist belting out the chorus whenever I listen to it though. Moving on, we have a previously unreleased joint from the late, great J Dilla, set to be featured on his posthumous album, The Diary. Dilla takes a sample of 80’s record cars “Cars” by Gary Numan, and completely flips on its head, glorifying “big ass trucks and big ass rims.”

Our next three tracks feature pairs of emcees trading bars back and forth. While The MyNORS kick it old school, MMG’s Rockie Fresh and Rick Ross give us a little taste for “Panera Bread” over some stellar production from Lunice of TNGHT. Following those acts up are MAHD and JD Era, two emcees who absolutely shred the beats given to them. Linking up on our next number are two former G-Unit labelmates, Havoc and Lloyd Banks, who give us some insight on the life they chose for themselves.

Coming to you for his second appearance in the Dojo is Texan spitter, M.I who brings along a new friend you may already be familiar with, Chamillionaire. Although the Houston native hasn’t been entirely relevant in recent years, he reminds us all why we fell in love with his music years ago, delivering a killer verse on what may be the standout track on this playlist. We then shift things over to Dade County to visit talented young emcee, Denzel Curry. While the title “N64” makes it sound like it should be a fun track, Curry is doing anything but playing around here. Over some dusky, ominous production, Denzel “Aquarius’Killa” Curry tackles the issue of gun violence, and sheds the spotlight back on the tragic death of Trayvon Martin. On a related note, Doley Bernays also dedicates his newest single to the subject of violence, but chooses to enlighten us from a different perspective. Sampling the Deadmau5 single of the same name, Bernays and running mate Denzil Porter discuss the difficulties of choosing between a life on the streets and pursuing their dreams as emcees. Check out the recently released visuals for the track to garner the full effect.

As we approach the finish line, we decided to cool things down a bit. While none of these are quite 4/20 worthy material, they’ll definitely help you mellow out after some of those more serious numbers. The first joint comes to us from across the “Ocean,” as UK spitter Paper Plates shows that he certainly can hold his own against the American boys. The next track I’d like to highlight is Sound FX‘s “Apathy,” a song which is guaranteed to lift all your worries away as the California natives spit over a light, airy backdrop. Now, before you Charles Hamilton fans get too excited about a comeback (I know there’s still some of you lingering out there), I’d like to warn you that this final track is actually an unreleased collaboration from a few years back. XV recently decided to remaster and re-release his previous four mixtapes, including four new unheard tracks from each recording session. If you’re a fan of Vizzy and want to polish up your library, it’s definitely worth at least a look.

We hope you guys enjoyed our fifth edition of The Hip-Hop Dojo as much as we did. As always, send all submissions/suggestions to baseer@themusicninja.com.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ALL THE FREE TRACKS

’De La Soul – Get Away (feat. The Spirit Of The Wu)’
’Statik Selektah – Bird’s Eye View (feat. Raekwon, Joey Bada$$ & Black Thought)’
’Marco Polo – G.U.R.U. f/ Talib Kweli & DJ Premier’
’Raiza Biza – 7th Floor (Prod By SoulChef)’
’JusThoughtZ – I’m Okay’
’Reks – Caged Bird ft. Ezdread’
’Co$$ – Blasphemy in Babylon (prod. by DJ Mentos)’
’Joey Purp & Tokyo Shawn – World Turning (prod. Caleb James)’
’Jon Connor – All 4 U’
’Logic – Roll Call’
’J Dilla – Trucks’
’The MyNORS – Mr Mista feat Nottz Raw ( prod by DP)’
’Kourvioisier – Write Brothers (Feat. Thee Tom Hardy) (Produced By K
Hill)’
’Rockie Fresh – Panera Bread (Feat. Rick Ross & Lunice)’
’MAHD – “Doors Up”‘
’JD Era
Marz Barz (Freestyle)’
’Havoc – Life We Chose Feat. Lloyd Banks’
’Ti’Jean – Fast/Slow feat. Pusha T’
’M.I – Nothing You Can Do (ft. Chamillionaire & Corbett) (prod by Tyler Keyes)’
’Denzel Aquarius’Killa Curry – N64 (Prod. By N/P)’
’Doley Bernays – Raise Your Weapon Feat. Denzil Porter’
’Paper Plates – Ocean (Prod. Juna Cosmos)’
’Bas – Stronger (Prod. by Jii Amadehuss)’
’Kevin Abstract – Ian Mad’
’Sound FX – Apathy’
’XV – Nevermind (Remix) ft. Charles Hamilton’
Related items:

[Hip-Hop] Joey Bada$$ – Unorthodox (Prod. DJ Premier)

Mountain Dew’s Green Label Sound has brought together a dream duo with Joey Bada$$ and DJ Premier. With Joey’s Brooklyn twang and old school flow over Premo’s patented spins, it feels like the track was pulled straight out of 1995 (the year he was born in case you wanted a fun fact). As he’s been doing for the past few months, the young New Yorker delivers lyrical complexity far beyond his years, leaving us to wonder just how potent he can be as an emcee.

’Joey Bada$$ – Unorthodox (Prod. DJ Premier)’

Bonus:

’Joey Bada$$ – DONT QUIT YOUR DAY JOB! (Prod. Lee Bannon)’
Related items:

[Hip-Hop] DJ Khaled – Hip-Hop Feat. Nas, Scarface & DJ Premier (Prod. J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League)

When you think of the word “hip-hop,” DJ Khaled is not often the name that first comes to mind.  Conversely, Khaled is what many would often associate with the antithesis of “true” hip-hop and all that is wrong with the genre right now.  Whatever your feelings about Khaled and his contributions to the game, you have to give him props for the special group he’s been able to assemble here.  With legends Nas and Scarface blessing the mic and DJ Premier and J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League handling the boards, it’s easy for the listener to be reverted back to the glory days of the 90’s. Both emcees allude to the deceptive and fickle companion that hip hop can be, reflecting on their experiences over the last twenty some odd years, including both the riches of the highs and the struggles of the lows.  It’s an interesting take on the subject, and provides us great insight on the rap careers of two of the greatest to ever grace the mic.

If you’re interested in seeing the process that went behind crafting this wonderful track, peep the “Making Of Hip Hop” video after the jump, and if you enjoyed this, and want to listen to some more heavyweight collaborations, make sure to cop DJ Khaled’s latest project, Kiss The Ring, on August 21st.

’DJ Khaled – Hip Hop Feat. Nas, Scarface & DJ Premier’

Continue reading

Related items: