This is the Pen Joints Show #349 aired on Bushwick Radio and on WRAP.fm . The Show can be heard every Friday evening for the Rush Hour from 5PM to 6PM, where DJ Emskee plays the best in old & new underground/independant Hip-Hop.
Saturday, December 30, 2023
Video : REKS & Samir - Eat Well, Travel Often - 2023
Lyric Video for "Eat Well, Travel Often", taken from Reks & Samir's collabo EP entitled "Rather Unique". Visualized by Queen Philosophical.
Thursday, December 28, 2023
Straight Outta Queens : Lil' Joon & Don Complete
South Jamaica Queens ... 134th Avenue & Guy Brewer Boulevard is a well known place for many because of the life of Curtis Jackson a.k.a 50 Cent, but it's also the place where 2 rappers named Lil' Joon and Don Complete came from.
Photo courtesy of Poncho Nueve
In 1994, Lil' Joon dropped his debut single entitled "Life" on A.T.B. Recordings, a small indie record label managed by Carlo & Kev who also handled the productions.
12" - 1994 - A.T.B. Recordings
2 years later, A.T.B. Recordings was back with a second 12", with Lil' Joon featuring Shorty Black on the A-side and Don Complete on the B-Side. Both of them deliver 3 tracks each, with Carlo and Kev still behind all the productions.
12" - 1996 - A.T.B. Recordings
As usual, no info about those kats on the internet.. so I had to talk to one of the persons involved... the producer and label owner Carlo. Here is what he told me :
Carlo : "We were all from South Jamaica Queens... 50 Cent, all of us... You all know the hood as 134 Guy R Brewer ! We all lived in the back blocks, and mine was the Jamaican block. Me, Joon and Kev share a common Jamaican heritage. Lil' Joon was the lil homie back then and Don Complete lived on my street but on another Ave.
We dropped Lil' Joon debut 12" in 1994 so I'd say that I started producing a year or two before. My production partner Kev is my best friend, he is my brother from another ! Everything was recorded in his basement where was based our studio. We were both DJs first... I decided to go into production because my mother kicked my dj equipment out because of the noise. We produced the Lil' Joon single and that kinda of blew us up in the hood. Freaky Tah (RIP), Fif (50 Cent), Tony Yayo, all came through our doors in the short time.
Don Complete bugged out after the single which was released in 1996... Lol... He thought he was Jay-Z before Sean was Jay-Z. He was from the generation before me actually, he came up in the Supreme Team era... Gangsta fo real ! I don't know what happened to him. Me, Joon and Kev moved to Atlanta after that.
We lost a lot of history from another friend's basement. We trusted my friend to keep the records safe because of the person he is but we lost everything when the block got flooded...We had some Joon's unreleased material on some cassettes. We had 50 Cent's first 3 demos... smh. I wish I had those today... lol
When we first did Fif demos, we thought about dropping Fif first but we were already moving forward with our lil homie from our block. Fif was always fire. If you listen to Joon and listen to Fif you'll hear the similarities... the smooth flow. Pleasant to the ears... that's what I like !
A.T.B. was Around The Back studios because everything came to the back of house to the basement. We pressed 500 copies of each 12". We had no idea of the business, and Joon didn't like the limelight. Fif, as we can see, bathed in it. You gotta want to do it to get it done."
Both 12" are still rare and for sure won't be reissued from the original masters. So if you see a copy for sale, specially Joon's debut single from '94, you should jump on it !
Mad Props to Carlo, thanks for your time.
Vaughn Smith - Diamondz And Pearlz - 2023
CD - 2023 - Dust & Dope Recordings / Hip Hop Enterprise
3 months after the reissue of the album "Livest Spot In The City" on 90's Tapes, Vaughn Smith is back with the help of Dust & Dope Recordings and Hip Hop Enterprise with the release of his debut album entitled "Diamondz and Pearlz" which was originally dropped on tape in 1996.
"The incredibly rare cassette-only 1996 debut of North Philly's Vaughn Smith has finally been restored on this brand new CD from Dust & Dope Recordings / Hip-Hop Enterprise. Diamondz and Pearlz is a surprisingly mature, understated and jazzy album that sounds better now than it ever has before. Working with Smith, who produced all 14 tracks himself, the original DAT masters were recovered but severely damaged, so this release was remastered by Jee Van Cleef from an original tape. Includes an 8-page booklet with an all-new, exclusive interview by Werner von Wallenrod."
Available on CD (300 copies) / Vinyl coming Soon... stay tuned !
Shipping : Mid-January 2024
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Monday, December 25, 2023
Karbine - Winter Warz - 2023
NY-based beatmaker Karbine delivers a brand new album, half remixes half instrumental. It includes remixes from Scientifik, Da Youngsta's, Herb McGruff and Kamakaze.
Body Bag Ben & ETO - Integrity 2 - 2023
LP - 2023 - Body Bag Productions
Oxnard Producer/MC Body Bag Ben and Rochesters New York’s Producer/ MC ETO deliver their second collaborative album "Integrity 2" on vinyl via Fat Beats & HHV.
"The long awaited second installment, “Integrity 2”, from Oxnard native Body Bag Ben and Rochester's finest Eto, has arrived!! After first connecting in 2018 for the “Integrity” EP, the two joined forces again in 2023 for “Integrity 2”. The duo showcases that vintage hardcore Hip-Hop sound with relentless rhymes over masterful production. “Integrity 2” is a boom bap masterclass for listeners who want to hear a lyrical killing spree over neck breaking beats! “We kept the format the same, It’s still Ben & Eto but we elevated it”, Ben explains, as he pays homage to the late great Guru (Gangstarr). For those who have been following the two over the years “Integrity 2” is exactly what you would expect out of the deadly combination as they make this a statement piece to the culture"
Saturday, December 23, 2023
Radio Shows :
If you want to stay tuned with the hottest old and new hip-hop joints, here are the latest episode of the radio shows who deliver the best selections. Enjoy your weekend ! Peace
Video : Beedie x Rim - Milk & Cookies- 2023
Visuals for "Milk & Cookies", first single taken from Beedie & Rim's collaborative 9-Track EP entitled "Trading Places". The production is handled by Maticulous and the video is directed by Northside Pro Media.
Friday, December 22, 2023
Blaakarme - Low Budget Silencer - 1996
12" - 1996 - Da Dropsect
Here is the first and only Blaakarme single released in 1996 by Da Dropsect, which was a production team comprised of Carlos Bess (C-12), Jose "Choco" Reynoso a.k.a DJ Choco, Pedro and Packman. During the mid/late 90s, Dropsect also produced material for people like Shabazz the Disciple or Sunz Of Man. No Info about who were the Blaakarme members exactly ... the only info written on the label is about the group management which was handled by Generule Assassin and Captain Punisher. Anyway, their excellent single "Low Budget Silencer" is on the B-side of this wax and is produced by Pedro. It's the only reason to try to grab this rare wax... the flip side is a Ragga joint recorded by an artist named Captain Kirk.
Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito Show - January 15th 1998 - WKCR
Little update as LiamF has just uploaded the first part of the show from January 15,1998. It includes the interview and the freestyle session from the group All City.
? WKCR Promo
Mission Impossible Theme
Talk Break
Indelible MCs - Weight
Haiku D’Etat - Los Dangerous
Divine Styler - Before Mecca
L’Roneous Da Versifier - L’Chemy
Cyclops 4000 (Sir Menelik) - Macroscope
DJ Krush - Only the Strong Survive ft. C.L. Smooth
Abstract Tribe Unique - The Chase
Colored Section - Bomb MC
Self Scientific - Run the Depth
Mr. Lif - Madness in a Cup (95')
Talk Break
Das EFX - Raw Breed
Onyx - The Worst ft. Wu-Tang Clan
Onyx - Shut ‘Em Down ‘98
Cappadonna - Slang Editorial
Talk Break
Jay Z, DMX & Ja Rule - Murdergram
Rakim - The Saga Begins
Mos Def - Body Rock ft. Tash & Q-Tip
All City - Priceless
Talk Break
All City - ’98 Stretch & Bobbito Interview & Freestyle
Talk Break
All City - The Actual
Cru - Bluntz & Bakakeemis ft. Antoinette, Jim Hydro & Tracey Lee
Mobb Deep - It Could Happen to You (Vinyl Reanimators Remix)
Cappadonna - Run
Outsidaz - Rain or Shine
?
?
L’Roneous Da Versifier - Implosion
MassInfluence - Clown Syndrome
Big Kwam - Execution Expert
Polyrhyhtm Addicts - Not Ordinary
Talk Break
Polyrhyhtm Addicts - Not Ordinary
Lace Da Booms - Glory
O.C - Your Life feat U-Nast
Talk Break
O.C - Your Life feat U-Nast
Dilated Peoples - Ruggedness
Adagio! - Hold Tight
Persevere - Small Time in This
Mark B & Blade - Born To Rule
Juice - Freestyle Or Written
Canibus - How We Roll
Talk Break
Canibus - How We Roll
Defari - Just Business
Noreaga - Noreminati
Rakim - Guess Who’s Back (Buckwild Remix)
Jay-Z - A Million & One Questions
Jay-Z - Rhyme No More
Talk Break
Krunchtime
Check the Stretch&Bobbito Archives for more shows !
Thursday, December 21, 2023
Mix : Dj Skeli, Rug & Hex-Air - Underground Hip Hop Vinyl Mix Session
More than 3 hours of indie hip-hop joints mixed by the Hamburg-based DJs Skeli, RuggedMind & Hex-Air. Here is a quick tracklist from what I know or can remember. Feel free to fill the missing track IDs in the comment section ... Enjoy the Mix !
Mr Lif - Madness In a Cup (95')
Centa of Da Web - Outer Regions Feat Outa Limits
War Click - Bullet for a Bullet
? Instrumental
Zion-I -Mic Jonez
Mischievous LQ And The Mad Mischief Crew - Boyah Bumbaclot
Chief Rugged - On the Real
The Imperial One - Madness
Afro Jazz - Afrocalypse
Mr Low Kash N Da Shady Bunch - Heatholders
Horse-Men - No Guestlist
NSV - Strickly Creepin
Benie Siegel - Peep The Steelo
Lo-Life - No Weak Signs
Heavy Metal Konnect - Why Ask Why
Headnodic - Proverb
Yasheen & The Murder-1 Squad - Bring It!
? Instrumental
Cocoa Brovaz - Back 2 Life Blend / Remix
? Instrumental
Cocoa Brovaz - Back 2 Life Blend / Remix
? Instrumental
East Flatbush Project - Tried By 12 Blend / Remix
1:08:13 ?
Fifth City Mob - Dark Side
1:15:33 ?
Jaleel - I Call It Like I See It
Finsta Bundy - Feel The High Pt 2 Instrumental
DJ Peak - Curb Loop
Finsta Bundy - Feel The High Pt 2 Instrumental
Finsta Bundy - Feel The High Pt 2 Blend / Remix
Made Men - Adidas feat Havoc & Man Terror Of The Wiseguys
Encore _ Love & Hate
Born Allah - Someone to Hate
Born Allah - Someone to Hate Blend / Remix
Amad Jamal - LA City
1:41:40 ?
1:45:23 ?
1:46:42 ? Instrumental
1:50:37 ?
1:56:30 ?
Milkbone - Where’z Da Party At ?
Grand Agent Feat Planet Asia - It’s Only Right
The Funk League feat Large Professor - Through Good & Bad
Poètes Maudits - Sans Remission
Instrumental ?
2:13:51 ?
2:16:36 ?
Mr Low Kash N Da Shady Bunch - The Best At This
Kamakaze - House O'Hitz Crew
Necro - Underground Instrumental
Mr Voodoo - Hemlock
Starvin Art Clique - Alone
Aiello Wilson - 80 Proof Rhymes
L Da Head Toucha aka Larry Cheeba - Evolution
Ten Thieves - Straight From The Slums Blend / Remix
Storm The Unpredictable Ft Priest Da Nomad - In Case You Forgot
IIID - Peep The Flow
2:48:20 ?
Rae & Christian feat Jungle Bros - Play On Blend / Remix
2:53:33 ?
Smoov U - Many Styles
3:01:03 ?
3:02:11 ?
3:06:32 ? instrumental
3:06:58 ?
Microphone Pager - 方通行
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