Blog: Bang The Box

Today, the world of Hip Hop has lost a pioneer and many fans have lost an individual who, through his talent, shaped the musical palettes of many. Many, myself included, were reared on a hearty musical diet that incorporated a track, tracks or an entire Beastie Boys album (or albums). I, for one, can confidently say that the Beastie Boys played a critical role in the development of my musical tastes. Rest In Power, my brother, MCA. May your influence live forever in the hearts and minds of those [...]

Elzhi goes in with Will Sessions on production to pay homage to one of the genre's most recognized classic albums, Nas' Illmatic. Tracklist: 1. The Genesis 2. Detroit State of Mind (Houseshoes Shout) 3. Halftime 4. Memory Lane 5. The World Is Yours 6. Represent 7. Life’s A Bitch feat. Royce da 5’9 and Stokley Williams of Mint Condition 8. One Love 9. It Ain’t Hard To Tell (Pete Rock Shout) 10. Pete Rock Shout DOWNLOAD // Elzhi - Elmatic Mixtape

Killer Tape Raw Interlude Wu-Tang + Lego + Stop Motion = Great Success

It's been a long time since I've heard something this cold, dark and sinister. The genre doesn't even go there these days, so to hear a group like 3:33 (or anyone for that matter) bring this cinematic sound and approach back to the forefront is not only refreshing -- but strangely fulfilling. Without much available on the group, here is their remix of MF Doom's Vomit along with an instrumental alternate take. Deep shit. MF DOOM - Vomit (3:33 Remix) by [...]

• MF DOOM - Vomit (3:33 Remix)
• PThought - Vomit Instrumental Alternate Take

I feel it right to join the rest of the global hip-hop community in paying tribute to one of the genre's greatest crooners ever to grace the microphone -- Nate Dogg. From his uncredited appearance on the '92 West Coast classic, Dr. Dre's The Chronic to the seminal G-Funk anthem, Warren G's Regulators , Nate's signature voice stood out (and stood strong) for almost 2 decades in a sea of watered-down, generic garbage. R.I.P. Nate Dogg

Coming off a great WMC week culminating in the Stonesthrow Hella International jam at Grand Central. I heard maybe 16 bars of some new Madvillain material (thank you, J Rocc) and I'm amped for the release. Above? Mos Def x Madlib. Enough Said. via Stonesthrow

Official music video for the new Y Society single "Don't Do It" out now on iTunes . -via rockthedub

Long-time fam El Lou over at Antisteez hit me up last week and knowing how big a Duck Down fan I am, asked me to throw together a few picks for their weekly podcast. I gladly obliged and with a few additions from Lou himself and producer DJ Guillotine the finished product is available for your listening pleasure. Head over to the steez and snag that real quick. [...]

Stones Throw graciously and generously hooks it up with a digital download of the recently released 6-track banger J Dilla Donut Shop . I don't really need to say much else. Go download and turn it up! DOWNLOAD: J Dilla Donut Shop

Taken from Madlib's latest long-player Madlib's Medicine Show #7: High Jazz Hella funky and absolutely brilliant. Enjoy. DOWNLOAD: Generation Match - Electronic Dimensions [prod. Madlib]

• Generation Match - Electronic Dimensions

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A hero (in my book) has hacked into Solar's e-mail and Twitter accounts and is pushing this scumbag forward to bring a little justice to the situation. Following the tragic departure of one of the iconic vocal pillars of hip hop, this new string of leaked communications confirms the sketchiness everyone suspected from day one. I'm overjoyed to see Solar taking the fall. Keep fallin' Solar, keep fallin'. LINK: Solar Exposed

Clipz comes back under a new pseudo, Redlight, dropping some serious old school rave business. I've only heard a handful of joints, but Stupid is his latest coming on Digital Soundboy. The original features vocals by Roses Gabor, but the instrumental is where it's at. Bass is proper, killer track. Heavy.

Clipz comes back under a new pseudo, Redlight, dropping some serious old school rave business. I've only heard a handful of joints, but Stupid is his latest coming on Digital Soundboy. The original features vocals by Roses Gabor, but the instrumental is where it's at. Bass is proper, killer track. Heavy.

Parisian Chris Carrier drops his debut long-player on Phil Week's Robsoul imprint. Deep and tech house meet funk, soul and disco. The results are outstanding. Don't sleep. Check the title cut: BUY: Chris Carrier - Gosse De Paris LP @ Beatport

Brand new from Jay Electronica featuring Diddy, paying homage to the black rhinoceros of rap. It ain't no Exhibit C , but it's pretty dope -- although I think Jay sounds a little buried in the mix. Flows are on point, as you can expect from Jay and Diddy doing his usual. DOWNLOAD: Jay Electronica ft Diddy - The Ghost of Christopher Wallace [ alt link ]

Grim news this morning as MTV UK and Baller Status report that the legendary Guru has lost his struggle with cancer at age 43. The entire story is and has been extremely controversial pinning Solar against family, family against Guru and Guru against Premier but sadly, never any "official" word from Guru. Known for his involvement with Gang Starr and his classic Jazzamataz album series, the MC leaves us a wealth of music that spans decades. Make today a Guru/Gang Starr day on your beatbox. More updates as they become available. [...]

If you know what's up here, you know little explanation is needed. The Roots pay tribute to J Dilla. Enough said. I'm a few days late on this one, but I finally got around to giving it the good listen. It's a phenomenal work. Hearing these joints just hit the right spot and put me back in a certain place. I might be a little biased, because I generally tend to like these live instrumental reinterpretations of hip hop joints, but if that's you -- you'll dig this. DOWNLOAD: The Roots - Dilla Joints

You see now? Here's just another reason why Dilla will forever remain one of my favorite producers. This familiar little bit comes hand-picked by J. Rocc from the Dilla archives, a flip of the Men Without Hats original The Safety Dance . Scoop this with 5 additional unreleased tracks bundled together with the Stones Throw, Serato & J Dilla Estate collab release of J Dilla Donut Shop . Pre-order the 2LP (with Serato Control Tone on 2 sides), Donuts slipmats & gatefold package now for a [...]

• J Dilla - Safety Dance » jdilla-safetydance.mp3

This is the sound for this morning. I'm not sure if it's the fact that this has to be, hands-down, one of my favorite sampled Les McCann joints or that Scratch just worked it so well -- or both. I could let this loop ride for hours. The vocalist is a beautiful setup for the soulful murder Rae delivers with his verse. I'm particular about female vocals, but whoever this is has a serious set of pipes and absolutely nailed the vibe. DOWNLOAD: Raekwon - Lizz [prod by Scratch] via Metal Lungies