STRIVIN'

Latest edition of the Warning Shots series…

Here’s what we’ve got this week. On “Starstruck” Elucid reacts to the Sean Bell verdict and subsequent outcry over a joint from Santogold. It’s not the typical rah-rah “take to the streets” material: “Niggas want to riot, but y’all scared of revolution/ couldn’t wrap your brain ’round what it takes for real improvement,” he declares. Serious business.

Our second track, Spec Boogie’s “Psychotic Girl” is less political, but equally true to life. He transforms The Black Keys’ track of the same name into an account of a woman who ravages relationships. Just as the track is coming to a conclusion, he pauses, requests the last bar be looped up, and then drops another verse while channeling the RZA: “Poison ivy, Delilah, Jezebels/fly with the doobie wraps and painted fingernails/When you in the shower, she be going through your cell/Hoot and holla, now you sitting in the jail.” This joint is from Spec’s upcoming mixtape “Dollar-Sign Language” which will be available next week.

“Starstruck (Sean Bell Tribute)” – Elucid

“Psychotic Girl” – Spec Boogie

Previously: “Many Moons” – Elucid / “Soldier” – Spec Boogie

Can’t say I’ve heard much about J The S, but this collab with Ras is nice.

On the strength of his 2006 album, Strategy of the Crown, which featured guests including Ras Kass, Trife Da God and Devin the Dude, J the S followed up with his DJ Vlad-hosted Year of the Snake Vol. 2. The sequel to his Peter Parker-hosted Vol. 1, the mixtape proved that he could rock consecutive projects with – or without – headliner associates. Featuring limited assists from Boston cronies such as Loose Notes and his own Greater Good crew, J the S gave fans enough original material to choke on until now.

He might be an anomaly, but J the S is poised to be a factor in roughneck Hip-Hop’s return to form. With his When in Rome (which will feature collaborations with fellow rising stars Skyzoo (“Pump”), Slaine (“Get Low” Remix) and Joell Ortiz (“Do You”) prequel this March and subsequent third album, The Last Days, coming next year, he is determined to penetrate rap music’s commercial consciousness. If he can pull it off in Boston , where pushing Golden Age street styles is less common than being a Republican, he can do it anywhere.

“Kilograms (I Know)” – J The S w/ Ras Kass

From Ransom’s Street Cinema album which drops tomorrow on Babygrande. Sorry for the tagged version, but that’s what was sent to me.

“Grind And Hustle” – Ransom w/ Jadakiss

And here’s the latest, brand spankin’ new edition of the Somethang Swavage series and this time it’s an extra large mix split into two discs for ya.

Somethang Swavage 04.25.08 – Back 2 Back (Disc 1 presented by r8r)

1. In The Bay (We Hustlin’) – Errelevent, San Quinn
2. That Go (Remix) – Keak Da Sneak, Prodigy, The Alchemist
3. Bye Bye Bitch (Remix) – Dominic Perez, Dun Dun, J-Stalin, Alias John Brown
4. Hip-Hop – Rakim
5. Carried By Six – Spice 1, Daz
6. Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It (Remix) – Ice Cube, Nas, Scarface
7. Wonderful Feeling (Remix) – JT The Bigga Figga
8. White Nigger – Ill Bill
9. Caddy Ridin’ – J. Stalin, Mistah FAB
10. Adventures Of Purplemane – G-Stack
11. Money – Bizzy Bone, Twista
12. Death Anniversary – Statik Selektah, Nas
13. Nose Dirty – Dubb 20, J. Stalin, Shady Nate, D-Dre
14. Get Busy – The Roots, Dice Raw, Peedi Crakk, DJ Jazzy Jeff
15. Smoke Somethang – Tech N9ne
16. Jammin’ (Remix) – Bob Marley, MC Lyte
17. Feel Good Freestyle – Taj-He-Spitz
18. Pimp Party – Sean T, Ya Boy, Husalah
19. The Bizness – Baby Jaymes, Turf Talk
20. Mind Of A Player – Celly Cel
21. Classic Freestyle ’99 – Big L (RIP)

Somethang Swavage 04.25.08 – Back 2 Back (Disc 2 presented by DaveDice)

1.’98 Freestyle – Big L (RIP)
2. It’s Nothing – Rakim
3. Famous Anthem Pt. 1 – Expensive Taste, B-Real, Too $hort, Damu, Eddie Rap Life
4. Livin’ N Da City – Chop Da Hookman, Tuff Da Goon, Dubee, Little Bruce
5. Drivin’ Down The Block – Kidz In The Hall, Masta Ace, Pusha T, Bun B, The Cool Kids
6. Dippin’ & Yokin’ – Dubb 20, Husalah
7. Don’t Ghostride – Shady Nate, Beeda Weeda, Kaz Kyzah
8. Taji Freestyle – Taj-He-Spitz
9. Pop One – Paul Wall, Skinhead Rob, Federation, Too $hort
10. Set Your Block On Fire – C-Fresh, Spice-1 (from Apartment 3 – Known Associates 2 – Available now – www.mir-store.com and www.myspace.com/apt_3_gabe)
11. Ichi Blop! Blop! – Keak Da Sneak
12. Cash – 11/5, Woodie (RIP) (from Apartment 3 – Known Associates 2 – Available now – www.mir-store.com and www.myspace.com/apt_3_gabe)
13. Look Up – Jacka, Berner, Cellski
14. I Know You See Me – Dubb 20, The Jacka
15. Hold It Down – 9th Wonder, Talib Kweli, Tyler Woods
16. All Over Me (Remix) – The Jacka, Matt Blaque, Domonic Perez
17. Low Down Dirty Dog – Chop Da Hookman, J-Diggs, Bavgate, Guce
18. Diamonds Exposed – Paul Wall, Chamillionaire, Lil’ Keke
19. Hair Braider – R. Kelly

Download both discs

r8r’s homie DaveDice compiled a nice edition of the Somethang Swavage series here since r8r was off getting his edumacation on.

Somethang Swavage 04-18-08 PASS THAT TEST!!!

1. I’m Mannish – Turf Talk, E-40
2. Keep Shit Lit – Mistah FAB, Cousin Fik
3. Money To Blow – Speedknot Mobstaz, Twista
4. Take Everything – D-Block, Sheek, Styles P, Jae Hood
5. I Know – Webbie, Young Dro
6. My Life – The Jacka, Berner, Dubee
7. Battle Cry – Rockers Revenge (Beat Street)
8. Aguanile – Marc Anthony
9. Sina (Soumbouya) – Salif Keita
10. Burnin’ & Lootin’ – Bob Marley & The Wailers
11. Hot Like Fire – Sizzla
12. I’m That Chick – Mariah Carey
13. Forgive Me – Leona Lewis
14. Mile In These Shoes – Jennifer Lopez
15. In This For You – Chrisette Michele
16. Do You Know? (The Ping Pong Song) – Enrique Iglesias
17. Pretty Brown Skin – Roy Ayers
18. The Testimony – Mack 10, Young Soprano, Pastor Steven Hamilton
19. Hurt Me Soul – Lupe Fiasco

Newness from Nino Bless. Untold Scriptures street album coming soon!

“Da Livest” – Nino Bless

Previously: “Third Degree” – Scram Jones, Nino Bless, Saigon, Crooked I

“Perfect Timing” is the first single taken from Coalmine Records forthcoming compilation album Unearthed, which is due to be released later this year.

“Perfect Timing” – CL Smooth w/ Skyzoo