Drive By Remix

Sorry for the lack of updates lately, I’ve had a very busy schedule to say the least.

I’m going to step in the arena soon again and post some new reviews, so stay in tune or else I’m coming for datazz.

Tha Blaq Print dropping this summer, keep your eyes and ears open.

Year Round All Day!

Big Shug – Crush – 1996 – 12” – Payday/FFRR

The braggadocios MC has returned, to back draft, torch niggas and burn. Who me? No, but Big Shug, I’ve been a little slow lately with the writing so I thought I’d post another twelve inch record mini review just to keep things moving. Big Shug, you either love him or you hate him, he’s credited as the founder of Gang Starr even though Guru was the only rapper that represented the group on wax. In 1994 after having made numerous guest appearances on Gang Starr music videos, Big Shug finally got his break and was featured on the track “F.A.L.A.” on the Gang Starr album Hard to Earn. The following year Big Shug released his first official twelve inch record entitled “Treat U Better” which however was a song that showcased his singing talents and not his ability to rip it hardcore on the rap tip. Luckily for the heads that didn’t want to hear all that singing, the 12” also featured two tracks that were on the traditional rap tip. The debut single ended up being mediocre in my opinion but in 1996 Big Shug was back to Crush competition with DJ Premier. The production was/is of course hard hitting with the traditional Primo drums, bass lines, chops and cuts and Big Shug literally crushed the track lyrically with his boss swagger and delivery.

Quoting some of the first verse of “Crush” below,

“The braggadocios MC has returned, To back draft, torch niggas and burn, my sound moves like kilos underground, cock me back, like a sledgehammer I’ma pound, niggas into the ground like stakeness, this shit is fakeness, so I’ma break this monotony, and show ‘em how it’s supposed to be done, and keep lame niggas on the run”

It’s better when you hear the actual track so watch the official “Crush” music video below,

The B side of the record is the track “Official” produced by Bless One and features the Boston legends Ed O.G. and Scientifik. Bless One didn’t let himself get intimidated by the DJ Premier produced A side and delivered a dope dark hardcore east coast beat that the Boston trio ripped apart.

Listen to an audio snippet of: Big Shug featuring Ed O.G. & Scientifik – Official

Big Shug is currently preparing to release his third album, entitled “Other Side of the Game” that will feature production by DJ Premier, MoSS and others, it is scheduled to be released this summer so keep an eye on that and on DriveByRemix because I’ll of course review it here when it drops!

The 12” record Crush can be purchased at discogs marketplace for a decent price so head over there and buy it if you are feeling it, the record features clean versions of both songs and instrumentals!

Relevant link:

www.discogs.com

Big Shug on Myspace

www.myspace.com/gangstarrfoundation

Peace,

-P

Lorna from Lorna’s Corner sent me these videos the other day on youtube, two old interviews with the one and only Guru of Gang Starr, thought I’d share this with you guys. Haha Big Shug really looked like a out of work porn star back in the days with that mustache.

Gang Starr, one of the best yet

1994 Interview + bonus music video

1997 Interview + bonus music video

A.D.O.R. – The Concrete – 1994 – Promo Release Only – Atlantic Records

Money earning Mount Vernon has over the years bred many super stars, with people like Puff Daddy, Heavy D and Pete Rock coming straight out of Mount Vernon it’s only right to proclaim that as the place where money is being earned. Then there were people like A.D.O.R. who had the potential but never really got to reach the same heights as his peers due to industry setbacks. To many people’s surprise including my own A.D.O.R. was shopped around to many labels by Sean “Puffy” Combs as he was an early supporter of his music. Not long after that, A.D.O.R. was offered a production and a management deal by DJ Eddie F of Heavy D and the Boyz. In 1992 A.D.O.R. finally released his first single produced by Pete Rock, the single was entitled “Let It All Hang Out” and reached the top 10 on the billboards, the track set the foundation to a strong fan base worldwide and it put the young prominent artist in the lime light of Hip-Hop.

As the anticipation for his debut album grew, A.D.O.R. released his second single produced by legendary Marley Marl and co-produced by his apprentice, K-Def. The second single was entitled “One for the Trouble” and was frequently played on underground radio shows, which lead to an even bigger anticipation for the release of the debut album, The Concrete. Not long after the release of the second single everything took a turn for the worse as the productions company that A.D.O.R. was signed to completely folded, leaving him in a situation where it was virtually impossible to release the album.

After the major setback he suffered over at Atlantic Records, A.D.O.R. decided to start his own label which would allow him to have complete control over his own projects and in 1996 Tru Reign Records was born. A.D.O.R.’s debut release on his own record label was released the same year, the debut release was the single “Enter the Center” produced by Pete Rock. The combination of the two proved to be a success again as the single ended up selling more copies than the major label release of “One for the Trouble”. It took 2 more years until A.D.O.R.’s first album would get to see the light of day and finally in 1998 Shock Frequency was released to the world, on his own label imprint.

Shock Frequency featured producers such as Diamond D and Pete Rock, and lesser known producers like Willie Gunz who produced the interludes on the unreleased album, The Concrete. Never the less the release of Shock Frequency was a success and it achieved strong sales both in the US and internationally. In the year 2000 A.D.O.R. released his second album on Tru Reign Records, entitled Animal 2000, the album didn’t reach the same heights as his first effort but still garnered moderate success and was surely appreciated by his fans. After the release of his second album A.D.O.R. proceeded to work more behind the scenes and focused on taking his label to the next level. In 2005 A.D.O.R. was once again back with a brand new release, the album was entitled Signature of the Ill and featured production once again from Diamond D, and from A.D.O.R. himself. Since then he has remained active in the Hip-Hop scene and has kept on releasing albums and singles independently up until this day.

A.D.O.R.’s story is truly a unique one and his experiences and achievements in this Hip-Hop game are inspiring. It is now time to look into the treasure chest and explore the album that could have been one of the best releases in 1994, it is now time to explore The Concrete.

The album starts off with a dark short intro produced by Willy Gunz, with a man talking over a psyched out bass line and horns a lá 1994 style, warming the people up for the track that is to follow, “One for the Trouble”, produced as previously stated by Marley Marl and K-Def. You should expect nothing but the best from these two producers, the ill combination of course hooked A.D.O.R. up with a hard rough neck beat with a heavy dark bass line mixed with what can only be described as devilish horns and a nice violin sample. 25 seconds in on the beat A.D.O.R. fills the void and blesses the track with his unique delivery and voice.

Quoting some of the first verse of “One for the Trouble” below

“Back once again with the ill behavior can you feel it? Nothing can save ya, it’s the A for ally, D for damager, O for outta here, R for the renegade master, for what a survey, take you straight out the slums so the rose to portray, just sexual, exceptional, here to let you know that my flow is like DOPE, I got mad mad style of frustration, just another product of the anger in the nation”

Listen to an audio snippet of: A.D.O.R. – One for the Trouble

After “One for the Trouble” A.D.O.R. takes us on a journey through sound waves on the track “Life Flow” produced by Ron “Amen-Ra” Lawrence, he might come off as an unknown producer at a first glance to some of you but he’s not! Similar to the previous track Ron Lawrence laced a warm bass line that controlled pretty much the whole set up of the production, incorporating some nice scratches in the beat the final outcome was funky yet sophisticated which enabled A.D.O.R. to get serious and kick some real shit to the listeners.

Quoting some of the first verse of “Life Flow” below

“Trapped in a cage, ready for the rampage, growing up fast I come off old for my young age, I got shit all up in my grill, but I gots to maintain I smoke L’s and chill, roll with my crew getting something have some laughs, but deep down inside I’m always thinking about the cash, I can’t get a hit no matter how hard I try, searching for the truth, living in a lie, I can’t understand why I just can’t grow, I want see the other side where the props just flow”

Listen to an audio snippet of: A.D.O.R. – Life Flow

The Concrete is one of those albums you can just press play on and let it spin without having to skip any tracks so with that said several bangers are lined up after Life Flow. The semi-unknown producer Spunk Bigga was responsible for producing the track “Ill at Will” after “Life Flow” and kept it within the same elements as the other producers, the track also has a really dope chorus like many other tracks on the album. Killa killa killa, it get’s not illa! The wicked vanilla, funk flava spilla! ”Ill at Will” is followed by the track “Day 2 Day” produced D.I.T.C.’s very own Diamond D, the track turns it down a notch and is not as hype as the preceding tracks and no that doesn’t mean that it’s any less good, “Day 2 Day” zones the listeners out as A.D.O.R takes you on a journey through his every day life.

Quoting some of the first verse of “Day 2 Day” below

“Wake up around three then I go take a shower, pump a fat classic like uhm… fight the power, get my mental state with some food on the plate, missed my calls in the morning, so now I gotta wait, watch the videos, think about my ho’s, practice on the flow, wonder where I’m gonna go, I know my man got a plan to getting something, we always getting something even when we got nothing”

This is how we do it on the day 2 day, hey!

Listen to an audio snippet of: A.D.O.R. – Day 2 Day

Don’t get too comfortable though because the official party starter, Let It All Hang Out, produced by Pete Rock is about to come right after a short interlude, expect nothing but perfection from Mr. Pete as he laces one of the funkiest up tempo beats of all time with a saxophone sample that will make you want to bust some serious moves.

Quoting some of the first verse of “Let it All Hang Out” below

“Pumping out fuel, for all to use yo, We’re getting buckwild on this A.D.O.R. slamming groove, stepping up to bumrush the stage, Get the crew motivator by the spark of the rage, The mic is the teacher, to get you out the cage, From the get-go, the critics ranted and raved, cause Hip-Hop was too strong, The road to the riches we began to pave, Where the body, the mind, the soul become one, Intertwined with PEACE and hostility none, Is the message loud and clear, for all to hear”

Bust a move to the audio snippet

Listen to an audio snippet of: A.D.O.R. – Let it All Hang Out

I hope some of you readers are still with me, because that track is bound to cause a heart attack! We’re only half way through the album and you can trust my word when I say that the rest of the tracks on the album are bangers as well. After “Let It All Hang out” Willy Gunz again laces a fat interlude beat and the remaining tracks on the album are produced by Diamond D, Ski and FM. One joint that particularly sticks to mind is the Diamond D produced banger “Heart and Soul” where A.D.O.R. flips the script and drops lyrical bombs!

Quoting some of the first verse of “Heart and Soul” below

“When I select to flex I snap necks with mic checks, coming to the world out the group home project, I raise my fists for the people that’s stuck in this bliss, born to the pain so I build from emptiness, here I come knocking down the door, guard your grill cuz I’m going hardcore”

Listen to an audio snippet of: A.D.O.R. – Heart and Soul

One time for your mind! The album is wrapped up with 2 remixed tracks, one produced by Willy Gunz, and the other produced by Sam Sever. The remixes are not as fat as the originals but who cares, the more additional flavor the better!

Not even the devil would write a review on a unreleased CD and then not post snippets of the entire release, with that said it’s my pleasure to let you hear snippets of every song on the album, I normally don’t do things like this but it feels like the right thing to do considering the circumstances, so sit back and enjoy!

Bonus vibes: Listen to audio snippets of the entire album:

A.D.O.R. – The Concrete

There you have it, hate it or love it, I choose to love it. A.D.O.R. proved on The Concrete that he could hold his own lyrically and showed his many different styles both flow-wise and subject-wise through out the album, that combined with slamming productions contributed by DOPE producers can only equal quality Hip-Hop. The Concrete knocks hard from beginning to end and even though it never was released I still consider it a classic.

The album is placed amongst those many other forgotten diamond in the rough records that will slowly get dug up one after another by the Hip-Hop archeologists. We can only hope that A.D.O.R. one day officially releases The Concrete on both vinyl and CD so that it can be heard by heads all around the world and like they say: better late than never. Until then you will have to go online on eBay and on discogs and bid on the promo releases that are for sale out there, and of course also make sure to check out the other projects that A.D.O.R. has released, especially Shock Frequency.

But most importantly what you should be looking out for this month, April 29, 2008, is A.D.O.R.’s brand new release entitled Tru Jewelz & Videotape. The album will feature the “last of the never before released treasures from the original The Concrete album” and it also comes with a DVD that contains the music videos for A.D.O.R.’s hits like “Let it All Hang Out”, “Enter the Center” and “The Rush”.

Got to support that independent hustle!

Read more over at Tru Reign Records myspace to learn how to pre-order the brand new release,

http://www.myspace.com/trureignrecords

With that said I hope you guys and girls out there enjoyed my review on this classic gem and I hope that you get to enjoy the album in its full length sooner or later.

Relevant links:

www.amazon.com

www.eBay.com

www.discogs.com

www.barnesandnoble.com

Peace to A.D.O.R. and all the heads worldwide!

-P

P.S. don’t forget to check out the Let It All Hang Out music video below!

Hard Knocks – Dirty Cop Named Harry – 1992 - 12” – Wild Pitch Records

I’m not gonna let go of the very little knowledge I behold about the duo Hard Knocks until I decide to review their album School of Hard Knocks. So I’ll let the music speak for itself, as stated above this twelve inch was released back in 1992 and was one out of many dope Wild Pitch releases. The A side of the record is the track “Dirty Cop Named Harry”, produced by The Spear Chuckers, and is as the title suggests, a track about a dirty cop named Harry. Similar to the review I wrote on the PHD album a couple of weeks ago, MC Hardhead of the Hard Knocks also had the talent, just like MC Poet, of being able to tell a story from back to front in such a fashion that the listeners will stay glued to their headphones until the very end of the song. Instead of writing about the story plot here I’ll let you get familiar with it through the lyrics,

Quoting some of the first verse of “Dirty Cop Named Harry” below,

“Here’s how it begins, started in the Bronx, ended up in Manhattan, a cop with a label on his head, financially overfed now he’s running dead, a big drug bust on the lower eastside, 5 Colombians shot, 5 Colombians died, little did he know or could he tell, the 5 he killed were Colombian drug cartel, now he has a bullet with his name on it, without apology, without shame on it, 2 million in cash, 3 million in coke, this type of loot he only took as a joke”

Listen to an audio snippet of: Hard Knocks – Dirty Cop Named Harry

Feels like I’m breaking you off in the middle of a movie but a man’s got to do what a man’s got to do, I hope you liked that track because the B of the record is even better. The B side, entitled “Thoughts of a Negro” is not a story telling track like on the A side, it however incorporates short narratives at times in the song in order to take the message of the track to the next level. Thoughts of a Negro is about the many hardships that people of color have to face in their every day lives and about the stereotype image that is attached to people just because of their skin color. The track carries a great message but what’s even greater is the mind blowing production, saying that the drums are neck snapping would be beyond an understatement, and the scratches, wow, that’s all I can say.

Quoting some of the first verse of “Thoughts of a Negro” below,

“Stereotype me, dislike me and fight me, my hustle is Hip-Hop you can’t indict me, behind the light of intelligence critics would probably say the titles irrelevant, but the power fulfills to see the battle being fought, wise words verbally put forth from negro thoughts, it’s critical, the news programs are pitiful, sights and sounds of a negro’s background, first fired, last hired”

Listen to an audio snippet of: Hard Knocks – Thoughts of a Negro

Incredible, absolutely incredible, the 12″ includes a remix of the track “A Dirty Cop Named Harry” as well, that has funkier drums on it. It also comes with a radio edited version of the A side track and of course instrumentals to both songs. Hope you enjoyed this appetizer to what’s about to come later on when I decide to write a review on their full length album, School of Hard Knocks.

There are a couple of promo versions of this 12″ for sale at discogs and at eBay so head over there if you are looking to buy it!

Relevant links:

www.discogs.com

www.eBay.com

My hustle is Hip-Hop you can’t indict me!

Peace,

-P

Scientifik – The Most Blunted – 1992 - Traffic Entertainment Group

The people over at Traffic Entertainment have been doing a really good job releasing reissues and unreleased diamond in the rough albums the last couple of years. Traffic are responsible for releasing albums that should have seen the light of day nearly twenty years ago like for instance I’m Not Playing by Ultimate Force, and they have also reissued slept on records like Crazy Noise by Stezo. In 2006 Traffic made a lot of people happy by releasing two slept on records by one of Hip-Hop’s unsung heroes, the artist I’m talking about is Scientifik. Not only however is Scientifik an unsung hero in the genre of Hip-Hop, but he is sadly also one of Hip-Hop’s fallen soldiers due to his untimely death in 1996. During Scientifik’s active career from 1992 to 1996 he recorded two albums; one being his first, The Most Blunted, that is about to be reviewed after this introduction and the other being his second album, Criminal, released in 1994.

Strangely the album Criminal, ended up being Scientifik’s debut album as The Most Blunted never officially saw the light of day. Around 1996 however white label bootlegs of The Most Blunted started circulating around, most likely because of snakes and fakes who wanted to make a profit out of his tragic death. If you are wondering how he died, don’t bother, because frankly we are not here to discuss how Scientifik may have passed away, or what may or may not have happened that lead to his ultimate death. We are here to pay homage to one of Boston’s original representatives, Scientifik! and make sure that his name lives on through the music.

I don’t know much about Scientifik career wise due to lack of articles and interviews about/with him, what I do know is that he is often recognized as one of the original members of Ed O.G’s clique Da Bulldogs. He was however not featured on either of their albums but instead Ed O.G was featured on both Scientifik LP’s. Ed was also the executive producer of the reissues that were released with Traffic Entertainment.

Putting time in perspective The Most Blunted was not as traditional as many other records dropping at that time and was instead one of those albums that broke out of the circle of up tempo bass line controlled productions and fun harmless lyrics. With Rhythm Nigga Joe of the Vinyl Reanimators handling all the production on The Most Blunted, Joe made sure to hook Scientifik up with the proper vibes enabling him to get busy on the microphone.

Scientifik immediately gets down to business and let’s the people know on the opening track “I Used To Know Ya” that he has been around for a while, kicking it over a beat with a soulful feel to it that sounds very different sampling-wise and more down tempo compared to many other records at that time. The track also features Ed O.G who reminisces about his come up in the rap game and speaks on the many hardships he had to face, delivering it with his 91-92 trademark flow.

Quoting some of the first verse of “I Used To Know Ya” below,

“I’ve been around since back in the days rolling with the JB’s, money man minor and the p-r-o-p red alert, you see I’ve been with me for a while, so get on my tip as I flip many styles in your face, and that’s just incase you try to doubt me, or try to say some words cuz you haven’t heard about me, now I’m in control cuz I roll with Ed O.G and Da Bulldogs straight from Roxbury”

Listen to an audio snippet of Scientifik – I Used to Know Ya

After the opening track the album takes a pretty typical route as Scientifik starts to flip it about the ladies, dismissing (ex) girlfriends on the track “Bitch I don’t Need Ya” for leaving him and for only loving his pockets. Then he proceeds to encourage the brothers out there to wear a rubber on the track “Slicka Picka Uppa” over what sounds like a rough mix production with a humorous KRS-One voice sample taken from the track “Jimmy”

“Cos you can’t trust a big butt and a smile”

Hopefully you guys took notes on the teacha’s lessons because I know I did, if you didn’t then you’ll get a second chance, so pay attention when Scientifik kicks knowledge!

Quoting some of the first verse of “Slicka Picka Uppa” below,

“I got a bet on the fact that I’m the mack black, boning without a jim hat is gambling like black jack, ayo my name is not Kevin Gambla to be gambling, I wear a jimmy hat so I don’t catch a damn thing, that’s why I’m known as the Slicka Picker Uppa, I get crazy boots but I ain’t going outtie word to motha, I don’t give a damn if its flaming skins fat, I’m sticking to the plan I gotta wear a jim hat”

Listen to an audio snippet of Scientifik – Slicka Picka Uppa

If you thought AIDS was all you had to worry about for now then you are way off, Scientifik also takes the chance to brag about his pimping skills on the track “I’m taking Your Girl”. The track however throws off the album a lot since the topic of girls becomes oversaturated.

After that the album starts to take off more seriously with tracks like “It’s Murda Son” and “I Ain’t the Damn One” which uses the Reuben Wilson sample “We’re In Love” most notably known for being sampled by DJ Premier on the track “Memory Lane” on Nas album, Illmatic. On “I Ain’t the Damn One” Scientifik proves that he can flow with the best of them and steps it up a notch for all the ones that doubted his ability.

Quoting some of the first verse of “I Ain’t the Damn One” below,

“Uno dos motha fucking tres it’s time to flow (the Scientifik’s back?) Yo what is that? Act like you know! If you attempt to diss the scientist you’re a sitting duck and if you’re next to the mic get outta there before you’re ripped up, or simply play like lotto see my motto is no fronts G, and those out of control will get rolled out like a blunt seed”

Listen to an audio snippet of: Scientifik – I Ain’t the Damn One

The Most Blunted is short, with only 10 tracks the album plays through fairly quick. And the tracks that come after I Ain’t the Damn One are pretty much in the same vein as that song. The album is not a overall Hip-Hop classic to me, but instead a Boston classic due that it comes with its flaws as the almost never ending subject about the ladies becomes too much, making the album inconsistent. The Most Blunted would have most likely been more enjoyable if they would have decided to make some simple order changes in the track list, I don’t think that it was wise to put 3 songs in a row about the same subject after the opening track. As far as the production goes, it varies as well but for the most part Rhythm Nigga Joe managed to keep a consistent vibe from beginning to end.

Scientifik’s true potential and talent was reflected the best on his sophomore album Criminal but The Most Blunted is at the end of the day definitely decent and has its charms. And to me personally the most interesting part about the album is looking at it from a historical context, studying what the other side of the game, Boston, had to offer. No matter how you decide look at it though the album can give you an interesting and enjoyable listening session, especially for you guys and girls out there who are right now doing your Hip-Hop homework, looking up the many forgotten records.

If you want to hear snippets of all the songs before deciding if you want to buy it or not, you can just go to Amazon and type in Scientifik, then choose the album and listen to it there.

Expect to see a review on Scientifik’s sophomore album Criminal in the future!

You can buy both records on CD and on Vinyl over at amazon, UGHH and Fatbeats.

Relevant Links:

www.amazon.com

www.ughh.com

www.fatbeats.com

www.trafficent.com

Peace until the next time,

-P

During this intermission until my next review you can enjoy the vibes of Intelligent Hoodlum, today known as Tragedy Khadafi. Before Nas, Cormega and Capone-N-Noreaga amongst many others there was Tragedy. He without a doubt influenced a whole future generation in Queensbridge Hip-Hop, his influence and music remains slept on by the masses so it’s only right that Drive By Remix acknowledges this veteran in the game in hopes that you do the same.

Tragedy is sadly currently locked up doing a four year bid and he is expected to be released January 2011, hopefully we will see him out before then. You can write to him in jail and show your love and support, further instructions on how to write to Tragedy can be found on his myspace

http://www.myspace.com/tragedykhadafi

Now enjoy Street Life (Return of the Life) Produced by K-Def.

Keep your head up Trag! We salute you!

Godfather Don – Hazardous – 1991 – Select Records

There are truly not many artists in Hip-Hop, that embody the many different meanings that the word MC beholds, and there are even fewer out there who can say that they have mastered the art form of both rapping and producing, Godfather Don is one of them. The Brooklyn bred emcee was clearly a product of some of the best rappers before his time, adding his own unique twist to both lyricism and production surely made him a savior amongst those who were getting tired of the many simplistic rappers and producers that kept popping up in the late eighties and early nineties.

But everything has unfortunately not always been beautiful in Godfather Don’s career as he has suffered numerous setbacks in the music industry. In an interview last year conducted by Diggers with Gratitude, Godfather Don explained that a second album was in the talks with Select Records after Hazardous release. That however never fully materialized due to the fact that artists like Chubb Rock, Kid ‘N’ Play amongst others were in popular demand back then, which made it hard to market artists like Godfather Don. After Hazardous had been released Godfather Don more or less vanished from the scene until he was featured both as a guest rapper and a producer on Ultramagnetic MC’s album The Four Horsemen in 1993. Not much later Godfather Don and Kool Keith decided to join forces with radio show host Bobbito, who was the founder of Fondle ‘Em Records that later released Godfather Don and Kool Keith’s EP entitled The Cenobites, which was also their group name.

Finally in 1998, after a few twelve inch record releases, Godfather Don got to release his official second solo album entitled Diabolique, under the independent record label Hydra Entertainment. Sadly aside from a few production guest appearances, Godfather Don again vanished into thin air and was more or less on a hiatus until it was announced in 2007 that he had agreed to release a limited exclusive EP on vinyl together with Diggers with Gratitude, entitled The Slave of New York. The release saw the light of day the same year and by the end of 2007 No Sleep Recordings had also released a CD packed with unreleased Godfather Don songs from the mid nineties due to popular demand, the CD was entitled The Nineties Sessions.

After now have given you a brief run through of Godfather Don’s career it is time to get to the point of this post, the review of his debut album Hazardous.

The album kicks off with a track entitled “Just Begun” sampling an electric guitar going at it for a rough 25 seconds before the beat fully kicks in with a funky bass line and drums programmed to make your head nod non stop. With confidence Godfather Don steps to the microphone and immediately grabs the attention with a cool, calm and collected flow showing the audience that not only does he produce hot beats, but he also knows how to rip it lyrically.

Quoting some of the first verse of “Just Begun” below,

“Bust the brainstorm never in the same form, it’s time to rip so I flip and remain strong, through all the phases and various stages the scariest rage is, I always have pages full of dope rhymes that I rip like sharmon (?), emcees I’m bombing still I remain calm and cool and collected the beat is my home here so rappers stand there as I present it stone clear”

It’s impossible to put the dopeness into only words so,

Listen to an audio snippet of Godfather Don - Just Begun

After “Just Begun” the Don proceeds to speak about the losers out there over yet another hard hitting track with neck snapping drums and a nicely flipped piano sample, mixed with clever wordplay and a humorous subject. Warning all the losers to stay out of his pockets, he also tells the story of how he had to live with a girl who defined the word, loser.

Quoting some of the second verse of “Losers” below

“A loser, one more who fails miserably , I should know, I even had one live with me, she was hype but not the type to get employment, you know the like, the dyke to choose before enjoyment, but I was large, pockets overflowing besides the fact I’m doing her cousin but she wasn’t even knowing month later, sad sad face, a loser looking lonely like a lease without a place”

Some of you guys might learn from Godfather Don’s stories so take notes and don’t be a sucker!

Check the audio treat,

Listen to an audio snippet of: Godfather Don - Losers

Most of the album revolves around Godfather Don proving that he is a master lyricist and producer and showcases his countless styles through out the album. A perfect example of Don showing off both on the boards and on the microphone would have to be on the track that bears the same name as the album, Hazardous, and the track truly is hazardous, so listen at your own risk!

Listen to an audio snippet of: Godfather Don - Hazardous

Importantly however Godfather Don balances out the album with more meaningful tracks like “Full Circle” where he shows that he is not only all about writing lyrics that will most likely go over your head and encourages love peace and unity around the world and gives the ignorant people a piece of his mind. The track “Black Time” is also similar thematically to “Full Circle” but focuses more on spreading of ignorance amongst black people

Quoting some of the first verse of “Black Time” below

“B-L-A-C-K-M-A-N, that is the code letter, we original, I thought that would mean better, but still the brothers are smothered with ignorance, forget school and then develop that nigga-sense and the bigger sense, yo they never feel it, so sooner or later they are forced to go out and steal it”

Listen to an audio snippet of: Godfather Don – Black Time

Final thoughts, I honestly have nothing but good things to say about Hazardous, the album has 12 songs and I never skip any tracks on it. It was and remains an excellent album that should have put Godfather Don in the forefront of the Hip-Hop scene. Hazardous is mind blowing in terms of both production and lyricism and it was truly ahead of it’s time in almost all aspects. There is no doubt in my mind that every Hip-Hop lover should have this in their collection. Let’s just hope Godfather Don has more goodies for us in store in the future and that he one day will get the respect he truly deserves by the masses!

Unfortunately the album has not been repressed since its release and can be very hard to get, you can however check discogs marketplace and eBay to see if someone has it for sale there, it won’t be cheap, but it will most certainly be worth it.

Also don’t forget to check out Godfather Don – The Nineties Sessions, which can be purchased at Amazon or UGHH.

Links to sites mentioned in the review:

www.discogs.com

www.eBay.com

www.amazon.com

www.ughh.com

www.diggerswithgratitude.com

I’m not sure if there are any videos to any of the songs from Hazardous so I’ll post the Ultramagnetic MC’s video from 1993, Raise It Up, that Godfather Don produced and was featured on (last verse).

Peace to Godfather Don and all the people out there!

-P

I just finished my second throwback album review today, I do however have to revise it and check that I’m satisfied with the outcome. the review will be up on Thursday (edit) for those who want to read it. Until then you can spin one of my favorite jams by one of my favorite up and coming duos, Verbal Threat, these guys are serious so don’t sleep, their debut album The Golden Era should be out this year.

Now check the video to their song Reality Check produced by the one and only DJ Premier!

PS: Kool Sphere of Verbal Threat has announced that they are working on putting together a part two for Reality Check so stay in tune!

Verbal Threat on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/verbalthreatmusic