Boogiedown Base, 12 Finger Dan and Roccwell drop their latest productions, "One Time 4 Ya Mind" featuring Kinetic 9, MC of Killarmy and longtime affiliate of the Wu-Tang Clan, and "We Rock" featuring Wildelux (Bronx/Kyoto), former member of the groups Silent Onez and The Last Kind.
The upcoming vinyl release of the album "Contact" by Springfield, Ohio-based rapper BigShawnDon on the Gramofix Records label reminds me that Ohio's 90s hip-hop scene has largely remained under the radar. While a handful of artists and groups managed to break through at the time, such as J Rawls, MHZ, Universal Dialect, Southpaw, Blueprint or MOOD, many others never reached a wider audience.
This cassette "Mekka Born Sound - Street Life" released in 1998, documents some of those overlooked artists. Mekka Born Sound was a record label based in Colombus, Ohio, founded around 1997 and managed by DJ O-Sharp and Sherod Jones who also handled all the productions. The tape features artists and groups such as I&J, Nashon, Screw & Flage, D'Marco and Empire, a duo comprised of Walla Bee and Marlon.
Information about Mekka Born Sound and its artists was nearly impossible to find, so the best option was to reach out directly to DJ O-Sharp, who kindly took the time to respond and provide some details.
DJ O-Sharp : " Sherod Jones and I went to the same high school but grew up in different neighborhoods. I am from Agler Green and he's from Walnut Creek. He's actually one year older than me. We both have a strong passion for music and especially hip hop culture, from bboying on down to graffiti. The artists on the Street Life tape are all people we grew up with and some are even family members. Nashon is Sherod's little brother. Walla Bee is my nephew; his rhyme partner Marlon grew up in Walnut Creek with Nashon and Sherod. Demarco is actually from the Bronx; he was here for school at Ohio State. He was looking for studio time and found us, he's more like a brother than a friend. Screw and Flage are from the neighborhood. I met I&J at an open mic and I was so lost in his rap style. Mekka Born Sound was initially conceived as a way to produce artists from home and seek out a record deal first, later we served as the recording studio for MHZ'z, Lone Catalyst, Rashad and Rufus Blaque. There is so much unreleased music, and all those artists went on to do more music beyond Mekka Born Sound. "
"Loose Lips" is the latest single dropped by BGM Blakk featuring Buffalo-based female emcee Che Noir, and produced by Eto.
Vinylaura was live at Bierwax in Brooklyn for the third episode of her Mix & Crates show. Tracklisting includes tracks from C-Rayz Walz, Phoebe One, The Nemesis Two, Know Qwestion, The Mischievous LQ And The Mad Mischief Crew, Ill Mentality, Tragedy Khadafi, Live Wire & SMK, Triip... just to name a few. Enjoy the mix ! Peace
After 15 years buried in the vault, "Leviathan" resurfaces. Originally started in 2009, Scienz Of Life's album gets a full reconstruction at the hands of German producer Figub Brazlevic, in collaboration with Krekpek Records. What started back then was left dormant for years, until Figub decided to strip it down and rebuild it from scratch.
The release also features two remixes from trusted names Parental and KOE The Flavekid. Built on years of mutual respect and creative chemistry between Scienz Of Life and Figub Brazlevic, this rework is just another chapter in an ongoing collaboration, with a brand new Scienz Of Life album already taking shape.
The Custodian Of Records returns with a brand new 10-track project, packed with remixes from Fla Fla (of Sparrow), Tiff The Gift, Melanin 9, and more...
Big shout out to Ill Mind for recently putting me back onto this cat named Belton Haig out of New Jersey and his ill joint "The Baddest" dropped in 1998. Sadly, the track never got a physical release at the time, just a video shot by Douglas Ingber that aired on his Video City TV show back then.
All I know about Belton Haig is that he was an emcee originally from Newark, NJ, later holding it down in East Orange. He also went by BC a.k.a. Da Lefty Bandit. After that, he dropped another single called "Can't Take It Witcha". Same deal, a video shot by Doug Ingber but still no physical release. Since a few other joints were recorded, I'm just wondering if a full album exists...
Let's talk about the Philadelphia '90s indie hip-hop scene, focusing on the 12-inch releases by the MC known as 24-7 a.k.a. The Bang-Bang Poet 24-7 a.k.a. DJ Nicky Butters.
His musical journey began in high school, where he developed his skills as both a DJ and an MC. He first emerged as a member of the group Versatile Uptown, before becoming the DJ for Craig Irving, prior to Irving's rise to prominence as Doodlebug of the acclaimed group Digable Planets. Following a brief hiatus, he returned to the scene under the name 24-7, releasing his first 12-inch record with his crew, 24-7 and the Hoodfellas. He later adopted the moniker The Bang-Bang Poet 24-7, marking the next phase of his artistic evolution.
His first single "Let's Have It" came out in 1993 on the Homicide Records label, and was produced by Black Hollywood Productions. His second 12-inch "Unbelievable / Here Comes The Bang-Bang Poet" came out in 1994 on Everglade Records, and was produced by 24-7 and Power. Both records were mixed and engineered by Philly legend DJ Miz. Both records are definitely something to own in your record collection.
If you didn't grab this excellent album in 2011, here is another chance for you to get a copy. Below System Records present the vinyl reissue of Rashad & Confidence's debut album "The Element Of Surprise". This vinyl version comes with 3 bonus tracks, 2 of them "Non Stop" and "Feel It" are unreleased!
Release Date : May 1st, 2026
01. Mobb Deep - Drop A Gem On 'Em (Mz Boom Bap Remix)
02. Trybal Men - Down Like That (Karbine Remix)
03. Onyx - Raze It Up (Seqvince Remix)
04. M.O.P. ft Kool G Rap - Stick To Ya Gunz (Nemel Remix)
05. MC Shinobi - Make A Smile For Me (Etokai Remix)
06. Capone-N-Noreaga - T.O.N.Y. (Roland Jones & Ned Nice Remix )
07. Smif-N-Wessun - Bucktown (Etokai Remix)
08. M.O.P. - My Kinda N***a (Azaia Remix)
09. Herb Mc Gruff - Harlem Kids Get Biz (Corner Conny Remix)
10. Pete Rock - Tru Master (Franz B Remix)
11. Killarmy - The Shoot Out (Profound Beats Remix)
12. Roc Marciano & Trife B - Give It To Y'All (Frankensteeno Remix)
13. Da Youngstas - I'll Make U Famous (Mike Flips Remix)
14. Scott Lark Da Sensei - Insight (Soul Selektor Remix)
15. Third Degree - Better Days Remix
16. Funkdoobiest - Rock On (Mobsta Mane Remix)
17. Mic Geronimo - Unstoppable (Sensi Remix)
18 T-Max - Relax Your Mind (Philanthrope Remix)
19. Positive K & LG - A Good Combination Remix
