Humpday Throwback: The Honey Drippers - Impeach The President

 The Honey Drippers dropped this soul/funk classic way back in '73 (38 years later and the title is still relevant). I'm certain there is an artist somewhere out of the roughly seven billion people on earth sampling this beat while you're reading this.  Have at it and thanks for listening to another Humpday Throwback Classic!

DMV Stand up! A​.​Sesay presents: The "A Special" EP (free download)

After listening to about 50 artists that ain't ready yet, coming across The "A Special" EP was a real treat. A Sesay gives the listener incredible beats and production, and the featured artists raise the bar on each track (EP released in 2010)- DONT' SLEEP!  DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) music lovers should be proud in supporting these artists.  FREE DOWNLOAD (click the album cover).  Below is a couple tracks to listen to followed by a great video, A.Sesay presents D.O.E. C.I.G.A.P.O.M. Adversary & Napoleon Da Legend - Sinking With The Ship, that any city going through a unity crisis can relate to.  Enjoy!

Can't Hold Me Down ft. Erika Anderson, Dave East, Karnagie & Dagga





You Don't Know Me Dawg ft. Dagga, Muggsy Malone, D.O.E. C.I.G.A.P.O.M. & Bear Witnez

THE FEDERATION: Cold of the Night ft. Dark Spark (Video)

THE FEDERATION brings you real life rhymes over hardcore beats from the streets of Soweto, South Africa. On Cold of the Night, MrCee, Neon and featured guest Dark Spark narrate a chilling yet worldwide reality and the video brings the viewer to a window looking right into it.  After you watch the video below, support independent underground Hip Hop and purchase their 40 track album Hardcore Styles for Street Rap Preservation by clicking on the album cover picture above (hard copies only available in South Africa).

¡MAYDAY! ft. Del The Funky Homosapien- The Ride

"Ain't nobody makin' it out alive/ Born alone die alone that's the ride" is the hook on this new school track, The Ride.  ¡MAYDAY! (BernBiz - Vocals, Wrekonize - Vocals, Plex Luthor - Keys / Producer/Guitar, Gianni Cash - Keys/Bass, L.T. Hopkins - Drums, Nonymous - Percussion) is soon to be a household name in the music game with the backing of underground legend Tech N9ne's Strange Music label and his current All 6's and 7's Tour.  If you enjoy the sound of this new track featuring underground legend Del The Funky Homosapien, go ahead and hit one of  the ¡MAYDAY! links below and support.  There is also more music and videos on their homepage www.maydayonline.com



¡MAYDAY! 

"Humpday" Throwback: Sylvia Striplin- You Can't Turn Me Away

Every Wednesday (aka Humpday for those on their Monday-Friday grind), we will try to provide you with a classic to pay homage to the artists of yesteryear.  Today's Throwback is by Sylvia Striplin, a New York based Jazz/ Soul/ R&B vocalist, with You Can't Turn Me Away from her only released album Give Me Your Love, released in 1981 on Uno Melodic Records with the help of the great Roy Ayers. She had such a beautiful voice and I love the funk of this record.  Its a shame she only released one album.  Enjoy:

Straight Outta New Orleans! Watch Jon Mercure's Video: Moses' Pirates (I'm On)

 Merc brings you a powerful track in Moses' Pirates (I'm On), from his album Surrender To Win, with a can't stop won't stop type vibe.  The New Orleans artist, who started in the underground scene in 2000, is all about providing the listener with classic material.  Have a listen and look:

 

 

Ill-iteracy - Runaway (Album: The Ensembly Line)

Listen to "Runaway" NOW : 

Ill-iteracy consists of four Roanoke "Star City", VA born members: Chris Prythm, Speek Eazy, WiLL Spitwell, and Young Observe.  The group formed circa 1998, and their depth confidence and creativity shine on "Runaway."   Look out for my review of the complete album, The Ensembly Line!  In the meantime, go to their website www.ILL-it.com or click on their Twitter, Facebook, or Youtube links below:

Ill-iteracy:

Cut Throat Logic- With All Due Respect (Compilation Album Review)

3.75/5.0

The album really left me expecting more from a number of people who appeared on it due to previous work I had heard from them, however, it must be kept in perspective that music is an art form and what one person creates in a certain piece is not what you can expect out of every single other.   To be blunt, I felt 6/10 were worthy of attention, with 3 out of 4 of my least favorites placed in the middle of the album- meaning I enjoyed the beginning and the end of the album much in a way as how a movie or a book can have a great beginning and end (even if it drags in the middle) and still be considered memorable.  Even though I didn’t enjoy 3 or 4 songs out of the 10- that is still better than 99% of mainstream artists who usually only have 3 or 4 decent ones (and that is sometimes out of a 20 cut album).   

The strongest tracks of the album in my opinion were the following:

Blowin’ Up (JustUS, Deonte, Mellanin) is a great introduction track with sound production behind it.  It  begins with a B.I.G. sample for the hook “I’m blowin up like you thought I would/  Call the crib same number same hood…” which may actually be the weakest part on the track (depending on where the late Christopher Wallace ranks on your rap radar) - none-the-less it fits.  I got an almost “this is why I’m hot” type vibe from the beat but I would have to rate Blowin’ Up higher in comparison. 

My Bottle (JustUS, Tash, Knoc-turn’al, J.Beam) is almost reminiscent of Tash’s Alkaholiks days but this time it’s a CTL album.  I could see this playing in a club atmosphere being chanted by a room full of drunks so it is what it is and a solid addition (and I don’t even drink alcohol anymore).

Her Thang (D.Scott, Deonte) is a great fusion of an R&B hook and rap bars that’s relatable for those of us who have had a woman in our lives that is memorable in most every way from the time shared with them.

TAF (JustUS, KRS-1, Deonte) features JustUS & Deonte raising their bars up on a song with a HIP HOP Godfather/Legend, the one and only KRS-One.  The phrase, Today and Forever, really goes hand in hand for those that get what HIP HOP is- a culture.  This is by far one of the strongest cuts out of the ten.

Smiles and Cries (JustUS, Deonte, RoKnowledge) is an incredible reminiscing track and a great ending to an album.  RoKnowledge takes us out of the musical ride- wondering why this was the only song he collaborated on…..?

In my opinion (which probably seems outdated to today's youth) anyone who can get KRS-One on a track is not only HIP HOP, but is also relevant- from a group that’s been in the game for a decade and a half?  That’s like 30 rap years in today's rapworld.  Are you going to feel cheated by grabbing a compilation album that only has ten songs?  Do Tash, Knoc-turn’al, and KRS-One appearances not mean anything in your rap world?  Not only are all the CTL members talented but so are the rest of the guest appearances (do your history if you don’t believe me).  Oh- by the way, the best part of this album- download it FREE at http://ctlmusic.com/download/  So, don’t take my word for it- download the album for yourself and/or a friend and make your own opinion.

Watch Today & Forever f. KRS-One: