'Def Jam' - K-Delight (free download)

K-Delight, the dude behind one of my favourite albums last year (see my run down), has just put out a free mix. It's one of those things that you could stick on at any time and everyone who you're with will just love it. It's got the Hip Hop of course, even UK Hip Hop but it's also got beats, disco and reggae - it's a real live turntable session. I'll be burning this one.

Apparently the mix has been inspired by a Hip Hop/Breaks night in Darlington, which I assume is called Def Jam - if you're up that way then be sure to visit, if it's anything like this then it's a good night!

The mix features Little Brother, Jurassic 5, Nas, Q-Tip, DJ Format, Beastie Boys, Main Source, Skinnyman, TY and The Roots all bigging up the rapping side of things and elsewhere Aim, Quantic, The Bamboos, Babe Ruth, Lowell Fulsom and The JBs rock things in their own way.

HHC put this on their site today along with a minterview (yeah, that's a word I made up for mini interview) so brothers out there with sisters, peep it.

Q-Tip Rolls Out The Rhythm Rug

After years of tumult as a solo artist in the fickle world of Hip Hop, rapper Q-Tip has decided to follow an avenue hinted at back in 1991. As part of Hip Hop group A Tribe Called Quest, Mr. Tip rapped ‘Wipe your feet really good on the rhythm rug’ on their golden age hit ‘Can I Kick It?’. In interview the legendary MC disclosed that “It was time to take a walk on the wild side”. He also denied rumours that he has been in talks with Johnson & Johnson about a range of sponsored ear cleaning products.

In an unprecedented move Q has started business in the world of soft furnishings and floor coverings. His lead product, the 'Rhythm Rug', is bound to greet visitors at many a Hip Hop fan’s house in the near future. Q-Tip himself has been an integral part of the design and testing process, he said “It was important that the rug ensured a real good wipe, for two reasons: kicks and carpets”.

The ‘Rhythm Rug’ comes in three different colourways, and whilst the current version does not quote his famous lyric there are plans to include it on future models. Tip stated “I didn’t want to appear big headed, but the demand is there, peeps do wanna wipe their feet on my words”.

The ‘Rhythm Rug’ has an ‘interconnecting circular design with carved detail in 100% polypropylene’ and is ‘available in 4 sizes and 3 colours’. It retails at £21.99 - £69.99, depending on size and is available exclusively in the UK at 24studio’s home shopping website.

In which I have hope for mainstream Hip Hop

I had decided to do this post before I heard this track but when I heard it yesterday it really summed up my thinking:

Kero One - Check The Blueprints

To sum his song up he's urging the Hip Hop community, particularly the artists, to look at how Hip Hop should be. He sees importance in analysing what made Hip Hop great in the 80's and 90's, taking those findings and applying it to making new music. Obviously this could lead to music sounding the same and being stuck in the past but what I hope to prove in ten tracks is that this might not be the case but that it actually might be the way forward. Many of these tracks are examples of how cats from back in the day have had to step up to the plate again to show the world how it should be done. I hope artists take note.

Guilty Simpson - Man's World (Produced by J Dilla)

J Dilla was a producer who really took inspiration from the culture of sampling in the 90's.

Q-Tip - Work It Out.mp3

Everyones favourite Tribin' ear cleaner is back and I'd be happy hearing this on the radio.

WC - Voodoo ft. The Game

That West Coast sound still does it for me.

Termanology - So Amazing (Produced by DJ Premier)

Sounding like Premo always does is not actually a bad thing and Termanology entertains.

DJ Jazzy Jeff - The Garden ft. Big Daddy Kane

Two Old School cats bring the freshness.

Mr. J. Medeiros - Silent Earth

This sounds 90's-ish due to it's feel good vibes and sampling.

Marco Polo - Nostalgia ft. Masta Ace

(Old guy + New guy) x 90's influences = good Hip Hop

KRS-One & Marley Marl - Hip Hop Lives

Old guy + Old guy - rivalry = good Hip Hop

Chamillionaire - Hip-Hop Police ft. Slick Rick

When I played this to my brother, he asked "Is this Chamillionaire?", I said "Yes, how can you tell?", he replied "Becasue it sounds like 50 Cent but without the mumbling" - or something like that. Slick Rick is funny. This is probably the most out of place choice here but I do like it.

One more to finish off with:

Jeru the Damaja - One Day

This is a nice short imaginary story personifying Hip Hop and telling of the day when it was kidnapped by the likes of Puff Daddy (or whatever ridiculous moniker he' going under today). Don't worry though, they get Hip Hop back safe and sound.

Download all the tracks here in a zippedy doo dah file.