After a few weeks of promotional leaks, Marco unveils his latest project (for free!) and we’re humbled that he’s decided to let the Dopehouse premiere it to the World.
The Newport Authority 2 album was inspired by politics & industry bullsh*t that prevented this material from being included on PA2: The Director’s Cut. Shylow and I went in and created a separate album to hold people over until PA2 drops in July. Attached with Intro, interludes and fully mixed & mastered by Joe Nardone. With confidence I can say this is not a mix tape. It will also be available on vinyl LP via Fat Beats for the heads that appreciate physical product, because I still do. I’ve included songs I recorded with legends such as Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Tragedy Khadafi, Lil Fame and The Artifacts. But, I’ve also got joints on here with some talented up and comers such as First Division, MidaZ and Big Gutta. Plus the sh*t is free – so enjoy! -Marco Polo
As promised, DJ Concept / Deep Concept Media drops Opportunity Knox Vol. 1 which you can grab now for a mere bag of shells ($5.99). Features the likes of Nature, Tragedy Khadafi, Joell Ortiz, The Kid Daytona, Homeboy Sandman, AC, Little Vic and more. Hit the jump for the official video for Underground Rocks featuring UG (of the Cella Dwellas) and Rockness Monstah (of Heltah Skeltah).
Motorola pager x Method Man x Ghostface in the studio with Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito Garcia, circa 1994
Way before Zoo York gravitated into the realm that Eckō Ltd. stepped into in 2000 (i.e. “the mainstream”), they were known for being deeply saturated in Hip-Hop culture. To the Hip-Hop purist, the name summons memories of graffiti splattered over subway cars in New York City. They were also profoundly submerged in core skateboarding culture as well, with greats like Harold Hunter (R.I.P.), Jeff Pang and Vinny Ponte representing the team / brand / culture. In 1998, they released their first video titled Zoo York Mixtape I on VHS, which married Hip-Hop music (and video footage from ’93 & ’94) with skate footage filmed in 1997.
The video starts off with a vignette of the late, great DJ Roc Raida (of the world famous X-Ecutioners) cutting and juggling like only he knows how, then segues into Jeff Pang’s Mix (part) accompanied with footage of a pre-Terror Squad Fat Joe freestyling with the hilarious & shocking Keith Nut. The freestyle footage was recorded by Eli Genser while lurking at the Stretch & Bobbito show (back when Stretch Armstrong was known as DJ Skinny Bones). Eli Gesner is to blame for the loss of lots of classic Hip-Hop video footage that many would die to see these days, including the acclaimed Jay-Z & Big L freestyle and Large Professor writing a rhyme and freestyling it for the first time before it became his verse for Main Source’s Live At The BBQ. Shame on him!
Shit… so do I!! Anyways, in the clip above Ash talks about his love for hip hop, how Jay-Z’s Hard Knock Life introduced him to it and more. I really respect the honesty he portrays. There’s far too many people out there that fake the funk when it comes to their knowledge of hip hop or when they actually got into it. I know folks that go an say Atmosphere’s best record is Overcast! when everyone knows its not. But the elitest in them wants to say “oh I been fuckin with them forever, etc” Or the types that are scared to admit their first introduction to hip hop was a Three 6 Mafia record. Who the fuck cares? Not everyone was around when the BDKs and Rakims were rocking the stages on the daily. Shit, I wasn’t. But I (like Asher) went back and learned about the artform and I respect it for what it is. Boom.
Tonight I got an email about someone inquiring about help with a list of songs about the love of hip hop. A project they were putting together for school. It reminded me of a few years back… in 2005 I used to surf around the internets, checking out certain forums and what not. Putting together little compilations for the people around the way. This particular mix was perfect for the dopeboy who sent the email; and I figured since it’s already uploaded I’d share with ya’ll as well.
There’s no exclusives or anything. Just a collection of tracks I put together a few years back that represented an artists love for hip hop. Pretty good mix of artists if I don’t say so my self. From Atmosphere to The Roots, Zion I to Aceyalone, Cee-Lo to The Thrday, Common, LL Cool J and more.
It’s here folks! Shout out to Mick Boogie for putting together this incredible mixtape (for free). You can should also purchase a special edition where all proceeds will be donated to the J. Dilla Foundation. Also be sure to check out the exclusive interview with Busta Rhymes & Mick Boogie by my man Jake Paine over at HipHopDX. Interesting read for sure. UPDATE: I figured today would be as good a day as any to re-up and bring this dope mixtape back to the top.
As a small cup, my life was pretty much consumed by LEGO. I had chests full of that shit and would build some of the craziest things with aspirations to become an architect. It’s safe to say that dream didn’t pan out but I’m happy with what I’m doing. Format Mag put together a dope little project in which they recreated 20 classic (I’ll leave that up for debate) hip hop albums using LEGO. Check them out!
