
As part of our ongoing look at the release history of some of our favorite labels , we jumped headfirst into the albums and compilations that dropped during Rawkus Records' two-part tenure. From 1996-2002, the label helped push some of the finest talent in the New York rap scene with a strongly independent ethos. While damn near everyone else was busy trying to fit into the Jiggy Era, the Rawkus roster stuck to their boom-bap-infused guns and pushed the genre's boundaries with raw and often innovative albums. Although Rawkus would partially dissolve in [...]

Are you ready to watch a clip on a ridiculously rad rap-related art project? I hope so, because that's just what we're highlighting here. Street artist Jay Shells' new project is called Rap Quotes and finds him travelling to different parts of New York City. And once he gets to specific locations, namely street corners and neighborhood indicators, he posts signs with lyrics referencing those spots from the likes of Jay-Z , GZA , Heavy D (RIP) and more. Watch the video below and learn more here .

Acclaimed DJs Spinna and Just Dizle, who hail from Brooklyn and Paris, respectively, have teamed up for a new two-part mixtape series, Dearly Departed . The aim is to show some love to the hip-hop artists we have lost over the years, including Big L, Proof, Eazy-E, Guru, and Pimp C, among others. We're hearing the first portion today, which features those aforementioned rappers and others, and we'll hear the sequel in two weeks or so. [ via ] Track list: 01. Bone Thugs N Harmony - Foe [...]

One of the dirtiest music-related words of all time has to be "posthumous." Whenever we see this term attached to a press release, we are filled with equal parts optimism and pessimism. Too often, it's like seeing the glass half full, only watch it get poured out completely, realize it's actually gasoline, and then get lit on fire. It is, of course, foolish to question "WHY?!" these post-death albums come to fruition—money, duh—but somehow through all the bullshit, we still find ourselves hopeful for certain projects. Perhaps it's because the few that have worked are actually pretty damn [...]

The year was 1992. Members of the Diggin’ in the Crates (D.I.T.C.) hip hop collective, consisting of legendary New York rappers and producers such as Big L, Diamond D, and Lord Finesse, were releasing groundbreaking albums on the bustling East Coast scene. What made the collective so potent was that each member featured a distinct sound in their solo work, making it a diverse and interesting group of musicians. Showbiz and A.G’s Runaway Slave is a shining example of this, especially because of the themes found in the lyrics. [...]

The Legion of Doom (producer Thelonious Martin and DJ Nick Castle) are starting to drop solid remixes on the regular. Today we get a new one featuring the late-great Big L. Peep "(Put) On and On" below.
The team of Thelonious Martin and DJ Castle, who call themselves the Legion of Doom, previously showcased their remixing chops when they took on Nas and AZ's classic single, " Life's a Bitch ". And for their latest, they're again taking on a certified piece of hip-hop history. It's Big L's "Put It On", which here gets blended with vocals from Erykah Badu's "On & On" and a flip of Bob James jam "Nautilus)". It's a jazzy and almost-catchy take on an otherwise uber-gully DJ staple and you can stream/download it below.
![Big L “On The Mic” (DJ Brans RMX, cuts by DJ Djaz) [mp3]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/4541668_lg.jpg)
New DJ Brans Remix for Big L's "On The Mic," from DJ BRANS THE DYNAMITE BEATS mixtape mixed by DJ Djaz. Download: http://effiscienz.bandcamp.com /album/dj-brans-the-dynamite-b eats
![Chuuwee – Put It On [mp3]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/4531815_lg.jpg)
Chuuwee leaks another track off his Wildstyle mixtape, "Put It On" dedicated to Big L.

Rest In Peace Big L, Chuuwee is going in on the classic Put It On beat. I happened to be talking to kechPhrase as I clicked play, one thing led to another, looks like we might be looking at a future collaboration . More as this story develops...

#1. 2 Pac #2. The Notorious B.I.G #3. Big L #4. Nas #5. Eminem #6. Common #7. Mos Def #8. Jay Z #9. Ice Cube #10. Andre 3000 The Ten Best [...]
Right now, rap crews are all the rage. Turn on the radio, flip to 106 & Park or go to any one of your favorite websites and you’ll undoubtedly be [...]
Right now, rap crews are all the rage. Turn on the radio, flip to 106 & Park or go to any one of your favorite websites and you’ll undoubtedly be [...]
I'd hope that some of you get to enjoy some good hip-hop in nice, warm, sunny weather like I wish I could. It's June and this Bay Area weather has been very disappointing, but at least music can take us away. Hope you enjoy the latest hip-hop playlist from iLS! Big L - Fed Up Wit The Bullshit Big K.R.I.T - Hydroplaning (feat. Devin the Dude) Shyheim - In Trouble Freddie Gibbs - Menace II Society (feat. Dom [...]
I went East Coast for this playlist... BIG L REST IN PEACE!! 1. Cappadonna - '97 Mentality (feat. Ghostface Killah) 2. Wu-Tang Clan - Tearz 3. Big L - Street Struck 4. Big Pun - Tres Leches (Triboro Triology) (ft. Prodigy & Rebel INS) 5. Gang Starr - The Militia (feat. Big Shug & Freddie Foxx) 6. Pete Rock - Verbal Murder 2 (feat. Big Pun, Norega, Common) 7. Shyheim - Furious Anger [...]
Five classic hip-hop songs remixed by particularly good producers. From Flying Lotus' dissection of the Lil Wayne classic from a few years back to Detroit's Ta'Raach's animating rendition of the Gangstarr track that made lemonade famous, each of these producers tease out a new dimension in the original songs. My favorite is the last one by Samiyam, definitely holding the weight of an anchor, a chilling Mobb Deep remix by Samiyam amplifies the murderous and cold sentiment of the original. Enjoy! 1. Original post: [...]

Tanka released the stream for this track "Big L" a while back but it wasn't available for free download... until now. Now he has re-released the song for you guys so grab it while you can! Download: Tanka - "Big L" Big L *Free Download* by Tanka

I just read about two directors that shall remain nameless that have interest in "rebooting" some old 802s movies. With all the money that is being made in Hollywood, why not come up with something new? Redoing "Back to the Future" would end up becoming a bastardized knockoff of "Karate Kid" with Jayden Smith. Pieces of my childhood getting chopped up and screwed is not how I envisioned the future of cinema. I guess it's inevitable, just leave "Better Off Dead" alone. MVP (TYR Remix) - Big L [...]

Download: DJ Brans The Dynamite Beats Mixtape
LA’s DJ Cheapshot takes on Big L’s MVP and it’s pretty damn good. Nice remix. Completely different sounding. Homie blended some electronic synth under Big L’s unreal raps. Big L is the truth. RIP to raps MVP. MVP Remix - Big L - Cheapshot remix - Click to Download