iNFiNiTe`s "360° [HeRBaN DeLuXe VeRSioN]"...

What`s good? What`s happenin`?? What`s lovely y`all??? I was going thru one of my hard~drives a few days ago & stumbled upon this EP from one of Toronto`s underappreciated emcees Infinite titled "360°". This joint holds a special spot in my Hip Hop heart because it`s actually one of those CD`s that I could have copped back when it first dropped, but sadly I didn`t. At the time my justification for not buying it was the fact that they wanted $18.99 for it & I was a teenager ballin` on a budget, trying to get as much bang for my buck$ as possible! I mean there were full albums selling for $12.99 so why would I cop an EP for almost $20? It wasn`t even an import release. So yeah, I never did find myself a physical copy which kind of sucks now because it`s somewhat of a rarity nowadays & goes for a pretty penny. I remember seeing it on eBay in 2008 for $150...😒 

 

I figured since it`s been 26 years this release should be celebrated by giving it somewhat of an HeRBaN DeLuXe VeRSioN treatment, so that`s exactly what I did! Unfortunately I didn`t have any rare tracks or B-sides to add, but I did add some accapellas & instrumentals that I had extracted using some AI software. So this version is now 20 tracks in length which includes the original 11 tracks & 7 extracted accapellas as well as 2 extracted instrumentals. I always wondered why they didn`t include any accapellas on the original release, I mean it already had some instrumentals on it. Oh well, that was the choice that Lockdown Entertainment made when they released it back in 1998. However in 2024 tho it`s now 20 tracks deep for y`all's listening pleasure...

 

For those of y`all not familiar with Infinite I`ll give ya a little breakdown. This extremely talented storytelling emcee is from Toronto & reps Rexdale, one of the many `hoods most tourists would be advised not to visit when visiting the T~Dot. That`s where he grew up with his 2 older brothers & single mother. He first stepped on the Hip Hop scene around 1993-94 as a member of Ghetto Concept, alongside founding members Kwajo Cinqo & Dolo. Originally he joined their group as the DJ because they had just recently fired their DJ, but that only lasted for about a month before he was rappin` alongside them. Being a member of the group helped him do something that he loved while also helping him escape the clutches of Street Life & all of its negativity. Sadly tho the escapism was short lived when one of his brothers was murdered in 1995. Not long after his brother`s murder he left Ghetto Concept because he was pissed off at the World, on some 'fuck this Rap shit' & rightfully so! However that mindset was short lived because of the words from his murdered brother that wouldn`t stop playing over & over in the back of his mind. These words were something along the lines of; "If you ever go solo I`ll put some of my money behind your career" because that`s what he had been sayin` when he was alive. So that`s when Infinite truly decided to focus on his solo career & started up his own label titled Lockdown Entertainment along with his remaining brother Cain...

 

The label's first release was of course Infinite`s "360 Degrees EP" which dropped in 1998, it may actually be the label's sole release. Regardless Lockdown Entertainment really did it BiG with this project & upp`D the ante on the music video tip. They released a music video for each song on the EP, that`s 5 videos in total. At the time that was completely unheard of for an artist, especially on the Canadian Hip Hop scene! They all performed well, receiving plenty of rotation on Much Music (the Canadian equivalent to MTV). Some of them were so well received that they eventually won some awards & nominations. The video for "Gotta Get Mine" helped Infinite win Much Music`s Best Hip Hop Video award in 1997, Mic Check Magazine`s Best Rap Video award in 1997, the Canadian Urban Music Awards` Best Hip Hop Video award as well their Best Director award in 1997. The "Take A Look" music video received nominations for the Canadian Urban Music Awards` Best Music Video in 1999...

 

"360 Degrees" opens up the EP, it`s produced by K-Cut (of Main Source fame) & features Jully Black who blessed the track`s hook with some of her always enjoyable singing. Some of y`all listeners may notice the Guy "I Like" sample used on the beat. It`s here on this opening track that you as a listener get introduced to the iLL storytelling abilities that Infinite possess. "Take A Look" follows with some more storytelling over another sinister soundin` beat produced by K-Cut. I like the way he sampled Mercy's "The Mornings Come" for the track`s soundscape, it definitely meshes well with the emcee`s narratives. The fully animated music video that was released for this song was DoPe & did Infinite`s lyrics justice...

 

 

 

 "Wise Guys" has a nice grimy sounding beat to support the crime tales that are spit over top of it, produced by both Infinite & his brother Cain. "One Day" has a nice relaxed type of vibe to, probably due to its "Everybody Loves The Sunshine" by Roy Ayers sample that was used by Cain & his brother Infinite when they produced the beat. "Gotta Get Mine" follows & features Divine Earth Essence singing heavenly on the hook while K-Cut provided the beat. Gotta dig that Diana Ross "Missing You" sample...  

The only differences between the Original & the Extended Version of "Gotta Get Mine" is that there`s a little intro on the Extended Version & they draw the chorus out a bit longer on the end of the tune. It`s pretty much the same thing when it comes to the differences between the "360 Degrees [Radio Mix]" & its Extended Version, just in case some of y`all kats were wondering. Tracks 12-20 are the ones that I`ve extracted using AI software, they`re not legit studio created accapellas & instrumentals. Just wanted to ensure that it was clear so no one gets it twisted. The only thing after all these years that truly sucks aside from not buying the EP when I had the chance is that all these tunes are essentially Radio Versions because they`re cuss~free/edited so it really didn`t matter that it was labelled a Radio Mix or not...

 

Infinite - 360° [HeRBaN DeLuXe VeRSioN]

Label: N/A (Lockdown Entertainment)

Released: 2024 (Originally Released in 1998)

1. 360° [Radio Mix] {ft. Jully Black}

2. Take A Look

3. Wise Guys

4. One Day [Radio Mix]

5. Gotta Get Mine {ft. Divine Earth Essence}

6. Gotta Get Mine [Extended Mix] {ft. Divine Earth Essence}

7. 360° [Extended Mix] {ft. Jully Black}

8. Take A Look [Instr.]

9. Wise Guys [Instr.]

10. One Day [Instr.]

11. 360° [Instr.]

12. 360° [Radio Mix Accapella] {ft. Jully Black}

13. Take A Look [Accapella]

14. Wise Guys [Accapella]

15. One Day [Radio Mix Accapella]

16. Gotta Get Mine [Accapella] {ft. Divine Earth Essence}

17. Gotta Get Mine [Extended Mix Accapella] {ft. Divine Earth Essence}

18. 360° [Extended Mix Accapella] {ft. Jully Black}

19. 360° [Extended Mix Instr.]

20. Gotta Get Mine [Extended Mix Instr.]

 

 

 

 

BaCK~uP LiNK #1...

 

 

BaCK~uP LiNK #2...

In my opinion the 2nd & 3rd interviews are the better ones...

N`JoY...

GaNG STaRR`s "MoMeNT Of TRuTH [PRoMo CaSSeTTe SaMPLeR]-[HeRBaN DeLuXe VeRSioN]...

First off, BiG~uPs & much ReSPeCT goes out to dirt_dog for the original source file!
I felt that this joint was something that needed some sort of documentation when it comes to Hip Hop History. So I decided to edit it up by separating the tracks & interludes, as well as BuMP`n up the volume on a few tracks just to make it more enjoyable. I really miss the days of record labels actually coming up with some original promo type of stuff when it came to an album. You know to generate a buzz for their soon-to-be-released albums. At times you could end up hearing an unreleased version of a song or a remix. Sadly, however with this promo tape that`s not the case! This joint just consists of album snippets & some interludes that has Guru actin` like he`s sneakin` a listen of these snippets amongst one of his homies...

 

 

 

Gang Starr - Moment Of Truth [Promo Cassette Sampler][HeRBaN DeLuXe VeRSiON]

 Label: Noo Trybe Records

Released: 1998/2024

1. Intro

2. You Know My Steez [Snippet]

3. Interlude #1

4. Royalty {ft. K-Ci & JoJo} [Snippet]

5. Work [Snippet]

6. Interlude #2

7. What I`m Here 4 [Snippet]

8. B.I. vs. Friendship {ft. M.O.P.} [Snippet]

9. Interlude #3

10. Next Time [Snippet]

11. New York Strait Talk [Snippet]

12. Outro

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R.i.P. GuRu...

The CaRTeL`s "On A MiSSiON"...

Up until a few days ago I had no idea that this compilation album even existed, but thanks to my homie LiNT`d PoCKeTZ he put me on to it. So BiG~uPs definitely has to go out to him! Sadly  tho the info` that I can share with y`all about it is pretty limited. Aside from the fact that it`s some Columbus, Ohio Hip Hop & most of the tracks on here are produced by Tmix (a.k.a. Timmy Lawson). That`s all I really know, so please excuse my ignorance! From what I can tell this was either a group or perhaps just a compilation that Big Hustler put together to showcase the Black Cartel Records roster. Either way tho it`s not a bad listen at all...

 

 

The "Intro" is your typical skip~able ish, just gotta be honest. The opening track "Player Hater" is handled by Big Hustler & Tek 9 with production by Tmix. It`s decent, with that lil` circus~like sample in there but for some reason the track goes on for over 7 minutes. It may have been better absorbed by the listener had it been placed further on down the tracklisting, maybe like as the compilation/album`s closing song, but that is simply my opinion. "Stressed Out" is the second track on this joint, produced by Tmix & it features Kiesha C, Tek 9, Big Hustler & Tina. It definitely has potential for radio~play. I could actually see this being one of the singles, not sure if they released any for this project tho. "Pray" could very well have served as the B-Side for the previously mentioned single "idea". It`s also produced by Tmix & features Kiesha C, Tek & Big Hustler. "Heavy In The Game" is definitely vibin` off Coolio`s "Gangsta`s Paradise" since Big Hustler pretty much used the same sample when he produced this joint, but honestly I feel that he did it some justice. I`m definitely DiGG `n this tune even tho I`m hella late on it! The Tmix produced "Settrip" with its "Hail Mary" 2Pac sample on the hook will have some of you reciting it no doubt... 

 

 

You can`t deny that Tek 9`s 'Commercial' "Premeditating" is straight out of Master P`s hustle-book. I mean not only is he doing an impression of him (my opinion of course), but it`s a promo snippet for a 'future album'. I`m not hatin` at all, just kickin` my opinion besides it was probably more of Big Hustler`s idea to do it up like that seein` as how it`s his show. Honestly tho, the joint`s not bad at all. Kiesha C definitely shines on one of the album`s strongest tracks "Fire" produced by Tmix which also features Big Hustler & Tek 9. That hook will possibly get stuck in ya` head, watch out now! "Blow They Mind" is another solid joint produced by Tmix once again featuring Tek 9 & Big Hustler. Kieha C owns the Big Hustler featured "Ballen"! You definitely can`t deny the West Coast influence on "Representing" with Big Hustler & Kiesha C, they`re Mid-West`N it y`all! Kiesha C most definitely steals the show on "Shake It Up" featuring Big Hustler & Tek 9, another single worthy joint, my opinion of course. Tmix provides a solid backdrop for Big Hustler & Tek 9 to flow over on the synth`D out "On A Mission". "Street Supremacy" most definitely has an synth`D all the way out sound while Tek 9 & Big Hustler hold it on down lyrically. So overall I feel that this compilation has probably for the most part been over~look`D by most folks, but y`all really need to fix that & peep this...  

With all that mentioned if anyone out there knows what these folks are doin` nowadays please let me know! I`m definitely interested in hearing about what happened to Kiesha C, Big Hustler & Tek 9. I`ve never heard of any of them outside of this compilation. So if there`s any Columbus, Ohio kats out there that can possibly school me, please do so...

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cartel - On A Mission

Label: Black Cartel Records

 Released: 1998

1. Intro {ft. Shock}

2. Player Hater {ft. Big Hustler & Tek 9}

3. Stressed Out {ft. Kiesha C, Tek 9, Big Hustler & Tina}

4. Pray {ft. Kiesha C, Tek 9 & Big Hustler}

5. Heavy In The Game {ft. Big Hustler, Tek 9 & Fletch}

6. Settrip {ft. Tek 9, Big Hustler & Shock}

7. Commercial (Premeditating) {ft. Shock & Tek 9}

8. Fire {ft. Kiesha C,Tek 9 & Big Hustler}

9. Blow They Mind {ft. Tek 9 & Big Hustler}

10. Ballen {ft. Kiesha C & Big Hustler}

11. Representing {ft. Big Hustler & Kiesha C}

12. Shake It Up {ft. Big Hustler, Tek 9 & Kiesha C}

13. On A Mission {Big Hustler & Tek 9}

14. Street Supremacy {Tek 9 & Big Hustler}

15. Outro {ft. Shock & Big Hustler}

BaCK~uP LiNK...

N`JoY....

iCe CuBe, SHaQ & M.J. - "We Be BaLLiN`" [uNReLeaSeD]...

No...your eyes do not deceive you, you are seeing a NEW post on this here blog! Yes, yes a 'rebirth' of the blog has been a long time coming & well that time is now ladies & gentlemen. Hopefully Life has been treating you well. I won`t get into the long story about the reasons behind the hiatus, no one cares anyway....LoL, so let`s skip the chit chat & get to some music shall we? This is just a quick post, but still I think it`s a decent start. What I have to share with y`all is some unreleased goodness; an odd collabo` at first glance, but not so much once you know some of the song`s backstory. So what is it that I`m talking about? Well, apparently back in 1998 someone in the music industry decided to open up a proverbial blender & threw in some Ice Cube, some Shaquille O`Neal & a lil` Michael Jackson to spice things up on the hook I guess, then hit that mix button & threw the end result over the "We Be Clubbin`" beat & titled it "We Be Ballin`". So does this make it an unofficial remix? I don`t know, but I can only guess that DJ Clark Kent & Dutch are the producers of this song seeing as how it`s pretty much the same instrumental as the previously mentioned "We Be Clubbin`"...

After doing a little research regarding this song I discovered that it was apparently recorded for some NBA compilation that was set to drop towards the year in 1998. The song would`ve been featured in some commercials for the NBA`s "I Love This Game" campaign. Unfortunately there was a player~initiated strike that year so the entire project was scraped. To be honest, I`m a little curious about what other songs would`ve been on this comp`. My theory on how this song came to be has to do with the fact that Ice Cube had already worked with Shaq on the "Steel Soundtrack" which came out that same year, 1998. So that can explain the 2 of them connecting for the song, well that & since they used Cube`s beat it only made sense to include him on the song. Now the M.J. connection stems from the uncredited feature that Shaq had on "2 Bad" from Michael`s  1995 album "HIStory:Past, Present & Future Book I". I guess Shaq wanted to return the favor so he insisted that M.J. got down on the track. So there ya have it, enjoy the song...

Ice Cube {ft. Shaq & M.J.} - We Be Ballin` [Unreleased]

R.i.P. M.J...

FuNKMaSTeR FLeX`s "Wu-TaNG C.R.E.A.M. TeaM LiNe uP" [PRoMo CD SiNGLe]...

Today I`m dustin` off a promo CD single that was originally released back in 1998 (it`s actually a European release) on Loud Records by Funkmaster Flex. The songs featured on this single are off of Funkmaster Flex`s "The Mix Tape Vol. III (60 Minutes Of Funk): The Final Chapter". There`s 5 tracks in total, the Radio/Clean Version, the LP/Dirty Version, the Instrumental & finally the Acappella for "Wu-Tang C.R.E.A.M. Team Line Up", a song that features Raekwon, the Harlem Hoodz, Inspectah Deck, Method Man & Killa Sin. It`s a pretty nice track that`s produced by DJ Scratch. The last song on this single is kind of a weird addition, well to me anyway since it`s more of an R&B song. I`m not sure who decided to add it to the single after the hardcore joint.....LoL, but for whatever reason it closes things out. "Here We Go" features Khadejia & Product, some folks that were affiliated with Wyclef at the time that`s probably why he makes a lil` appearance at the beginning of the song. The song itself isn`t bad, so go `head & give this single a lil` listen...

Funkmaster Flex - Wu-Tang C.R.E.A.M. Team Line Up [Promo CD Single]

Label: Loud Records

Released: 1998

1. Wu-Tang C.R.E.A.M. Team Line Up [Radio Version] {Raekwon, Harlem Hoodz, Inspectah Deck, Method Man & Killa Sin}

2. Wu-Tang C.R.E.A.M. Team Line Up [LP Version] {Raekwon, Harlem Hoodz, Inspectah Deck, Method Man & Killa Sin}

3. Wu-Tang C.R.E.A.M. Team Line Up [Instr.]

4. Wu-Tang C.R.E.A.M. Team Line Up [Acappella] {Raekwon, Harlem Hoodz, Inspectah Deck, Method Man & Killa Sin}

5. Here We Go {Khadejia & Product}

FiLeSWaP LiNK...

SoLiDFiLeS LiNK...

N`JoY...

DaZ DiLLiNGeR`s "ReTaLiaTioN, ReVeNGe & GeT BaCK [HeRBaN DeLuXe VeRSioN]"...

Another album gets the HeRBaN DeLuXe VeRSioN treatment, this time around it`s an album that was originally released back in 1998 on the infamous Death Row Records. The album in question is Daz Dillinger`s "Retaliation, Revenge & Get Back", which just happens to be his first solo outing. It`s a pretty decent album in my opinion, I just think that it tends to get over~looked because it was released during a period of time when Death Row Records was basically on it`s last legs. Dre was gone, Snoop was gone, `Pac was murdered & label head Suge Knight was incarcerated. It`s safe to say that things weren`t looking so good for the label, but ya got to give Daz some credit instead of jumpin` ship when all this was happening he decided to take on the role as head producer for the label...


A move of desperation? Maybe so, but I`m thinking that Daz knew that there was still a treasure trove of material left at the Row & he wanted to get his hands on `em. Or maybe he was just trying to keep the label alive because after all he was one of the kats that helped make it as big as it once was. Only Daz really knows for sure, but that`s another story altogether anyway. As for the album Daz was able to oversee the entire project by himself since Suge wasn`t around. Dr. Dre was also absent from the mix so he couldn`t take away any production credits from Daz Dilly. A lot of folks out there mention the fact that some of these songs were probably meant for a second Dogg Pound album seeing as how Kurupt is featured on 4 tracks, it`s a possibility I`m sure. Maybe Daz decided to rescue the tracks from the vaults for his own album seeing as how Kurupt had also left the label when ish began to hit the fan. Either way I`m glad they made his album because they ended up being some of the iLLeR joints on the album...


I guess since Daz was handling most of the production duties (Soopafly co-produced 2 joints) he felt the need to have plenty of his homies featured on the album. Or maybe it was a way for him to complete the album much sooner than he would have if he was doing everything on the solo tip. I`m thinking the latter since the label wasn`t standing on the most stablest of grounds. Daz was probably thinking, "Hey I gotta get this shit out ASAP!" Whatever the case may be it worked out for him because most of the contributions that the featured artists bring to the table compliment the album. Daz sure did a great job when it came to the beats for this project, they definitely bang hard! Some G-Funk at it`s finest, that goes without saying. Something interesting to note about the album`s cover art, it was highly influenced by the Marvin Gaye`s "In Our Lifetime" album cover art...

Now let`s talk about the music & the lil` ''enhancements'' that I made to the album shall we? First off there wasn`t a whole lot of room to include much in the likes of extras, actually I was only able to add one whole track to the album since it`s just under 75 minutes in length originally. So I chose to add the "It Might Sound Crazy [Rmx]" which features the legendary Too $hort just like the original version. I was going to add the track titled "Pimp City" that was originally included as a bonus cut on both the vinyl & cassette versions of this album, but decided against it even though the track is a banger. For those interested in it though it`s produced by Soopafly & he`s also featured on the song. It later went on to appear on Soopafly`s debut album titled "Dat Whoopty Whoop"...


As for the other adjustments that I made to this album they`re more on the minimal side of things when compared to the other albums that I gave the HeRBaN DeLuXe VeRSioN treatment to. Nonetheless some changes were made, the main one being that I took the Intro that was attached to the album`s opening song "Gang Bangin` Ass Criminal" & made it it`s own track (the first one of course). Not sure why the album`s Intro was tacked on to the beginning of the first song anyway, I feel that it`s a stupid idea. I`m sure plenty of folks just ended up skipping over the opening song because of the long~ass Intro, it`s over 2 minutes in length. It`s a DaMn shame too because "Gang Bangin` Ass Criminal" is one of the album`s better songs. So on this version of the album the Intro gets it`s own track so the listeners can get to the opening song without any delay...


"It`s Going Down" features Daz`s partner in rhyme Kurupt as well as the late Prince Ital Joe spittin` bars over a nice thumpin` beat, definitely a trunk thumper! On the funky & smooth`D out "Playa Partners" Daz invites B-Legit & Bo-Rock (of Dove Shack fame) to contribute to this braggadocio track, the end result is a pretty enjoyable listen. On "It Might Sound Crazy", the pimpish collabo` with Too $hort I made some small adjustments to the track`s opening & ending (volume~wise). This way you get to hear the lil` convo` Daz & Soopafly have at the beginning of the song about their feelings on bitches & also the closing bitch clownin` that Daz does at the song`s ending, CLaSSiC material indeed."Our Daily Bread" is another collabo` that features Kurupt & Prince Ital Joe. The beat, at least to me sounds kind of like "If We All Fucc" from the Dogg Pound`s debut album "Dogg Food". The song`s vibe however isn`t sexual at all, more on the G`d up tip as the gun shots at the beginning of the song indicate...





"In California" is one of the album`s singles & it features Val "Lady V" Young singing on the hook. It has a nice lil` G-Funk vibe to it, showin` Cali some love with it`s catchy chorus. For me it`s the perfect Summer time type of joint. "Initiated" is a Dogg Pound, 2Pac & the Outlawz collabo`, or "Thug Pound" as `Pac puts it....LoL, this joint was obviously recorded before `Pac's passing seeing as how he shouts out both the Pound & the Outlawz in the track`s opening seconds. The beat on this joint bangs hard & helps to make it another one of the album`s stand~out tracks. "Oh No" featuring J-Money & Tray Deee is really nothing super spectacular. The beat`s dark & thumps pretty hard while the hook may have ya thinking of that Nate Dogg, Mos Def & Pharoahe Monch joint with the same title, but verse~wise there`s nothing to really talk about...

On the album`s title track "Retaliation, Revenge & Get Back" I made some small volume adjustments to it`s opening so you can really hear Daz taking one of them "$20 pulls".....LoL, the track itself is the only solo song that Daz has on this entire album. The beat definitely meshes well with his vocals, only thing that I don`t understand is who he`s referring to on the track. Who is he out to get revenge on? Those that left the Row during that time period? I`m just a lil` curious. Next up is "O.G.", a collabo` with Snoop & the late great king of hooks Nate Dogg. The beat`s got a nice smooth`D out vibe to it that`s a perfect backdrop to compliment Nate`s singin` on the song. I wonder how Daz was able to slip this joint onto the album seeing as how Snoop wasn`t affiliated with Death Row at the time of this release???

"Baby Mama Drama" tackles the subject of child support, kids & the always lovely baby mama stresses, the song features both Big & Lil` C-Style. It`s not a bad track, but it`s not one of the album`s strongest either. Daz follows the drama up with a love song.....LoL, not the greatest of transitions but that`s not really what`s funny. I just find it comical that Daz takes the time to drop a joint that professes his love for a woman without spittin` any cuss words until he gets to the end of the song & yells "Beeyatch!" Val "Lady V" Young & Big Pimpin` Delemond make appearances on "Only For U". On "Ridin` High" I made some small volume adjustments to the opening seconds of the song, just so you could really hear Daz`s shit talkin`, this song features WC & C.J. Mack. Dub & Daz have a good chemistry together, I guess that`s why they ended up workin` on that DoPe collabo` album together...

The opening seconds of "The Ultimate Come Up" received a lil` volume adjustment, just wanted to boost the levels a bit so we could really hear it. As for the song itself, it`s alright I kind of expected it to be a lil` iLLeR than it is though since both MC Eiht & Bad Azz are featured on it. All three artists deliver some so~so verses, but nothing quote worthy. On "Thank God For My Life" Daz gives a shot at spittin` an inspirational track that sort of makes for an awkward listen. Maybe it`s just his singin` on the hook that ruins it for me....LoL, anyway the song also features Tray Deee, Soopafly, Big Pimpin` Delemond & Bad Azz. The Outro "Why Do We Bang?" has Daz just giving some shout outs to his homies & also has him talkin` some shit as well. He doesn`t really elaborate too much on the answer for the question at hand, but whatever it`s an outro that you`ll probably hear once & then you`re good. That`s where the original album would have ended, but I added an extra joint for your listening pleasure & that track is the "It Might Sound Crazy [Rmx]". Again it features Too $hort & a different beat with more of an R&B type of vibe to it, gone are the adlibs of the chick thru~out the song & also the cussin`. It seems like it`s more of a radio version than an actual remix, but it`s still enjoyable none~the~less... 




So there you have it y`all, peep the album...

Daz Dillinger - Retaliation, Revenge & Get Back [HeRBaN DeLuXe VeRSioN]

Label: Death Row Records

Released: 1998-2014

 

 1. Gang Meeting [Intro] {ft. Tray Deee, Ty Cuzz, Bad A$$ & Technique}

2. Gang Bangin` Ass Criminal {ft. Tha Gang, Kurupt & Technique}

3. It`s Going Down {ft. Kurupt & Prince Ital Joe}

4. Playa Partners {ft. B-Legit & Bo-Roc}

 5. It Might Sound Crazy {ft. Too $hort}

 6. Our Daily Bread {ft. Kurupt & Prince Ital Joe}

7. In California {ft. Lady V}

8. Initiated {ft. 2Pac, Outlawz & Kurupt}

9. Oh No {ft. Tha Gang, Tray Deee & J-Money}

10. Retaliation, Revenge & Get Back

11. O.G. {ft. Snoop Dogg & Nate Dogg}

12. Baby Mama Drama {ft. Tha Gang, Big C-Style & Lil` C-Style}

 13. Only For U {ft. Lady V & Big Pimpin`}

14. Ridin` High {ft. WC & C.J. Mac}

15. The Ultimate Come Up {ft. Bad A$$ & MC Eiht}

16. Thank God For My Life {ft. Tha Gang, Tray Deee, Soopafly, Bad A$$ & Big Pimpin`}

17. Why Do We Bang? [Outro]

 18. It Might Sound Crazy [Rmx] {ft. Too $hort}

BaCK~uP LiNK #1...

N`JoY...

CaNiBuS` "CaN-I-BuS [HeRBaN DeLuXe VeRSioN]"...

Today I`m hittin` y`all off with another HeRBaN DeLuXe VeRSioN, this time around I`ve decided to dust off the debut album from Canibus which dropped back in 1998 titled "Can-I-Bus". I know some of y`all are asking why? Especially after he straight up embarrassed himself by trying to battle Dizaster at KOTD, that`s alright though. Honestly I will admit to being really disappointed when this album dropped & I copped it. I mean after hearing Canibus rippin` the mixtape scene & pretty much every guest appearance that he had in 1997 I was kind of expecting some of that raw Hip Hop to show up on his debut, but upon my first listen I didn`t really hear it. The main problem with the album is that the production is kind of weak. I believe that Wyclef had just a lil` too much input on this album, from the beats he supplied to the directions that he decided to take the album. Sure Canibus has some co-production credit on the album, but it`s only on 4 of the 13 tracks (14 if you got the UK release). Both Wyclef & Jerry Wonder just really couldn`t provide the right backdrops to truly complement Canibus` lyrical style & I think that`s probably why a lot of folks dismiss this album as complete & utter shit...

Fifteen years after it`s release I decided to go back to it & give it another listen, this time with a little more of an open mind. Once you get passed the fact that the production is far from grade A the album really isn`t all that bad of a listen. Sure there are some weak moments, but overall "Can-I-Bus" still sounds better than a lot of the music that is being released now~a~days.....LoL, it`s truly Canibus` lyrics that save the album of course. Let`s get into the album now shall we? The Intro is a lil` on the lame side with `Bis hackin` a computer deleting government files....LoL, luckily it`s only about 70 seconds long. The first actual song on the album "Patriots" is a collabo` with female emcee Free while Fugee member Pras handling the hook duty. Honestly I think that Free outshines `Bis on this song dropping lines like; 

..."Specimen with extraterrestrial estrogen

Kick your intestines in, sell your testicles to Mexicans"...

 

After hearing Free`s verse it makes me ask the question, why didn`t she ever release a solo album? "Get Retarded" was a song that got a lot of play on the college Hip Hop radio shows back in `98. The Salaam Remi produced beat with the Roxanne Shante sample on the hook made it easy for Canibus to flex his lyrics. "Niggonometry" has a nice lil` funky vibe to it with a hook that`s scratched, Jerry Wonder didn`t do too bad with this one. The song itself is kind of like A Tribe Called Quest`s "What" except Canibus flips it more on the mathematical tip. Towards the end of the song there`s even a lil` swipe at LL Cool J. A sample of some guy says, "Hey I been sittin` here trying to think of what we can do with this here letter L..." Then they scratch in "F-U-C-K" & then the letter L follows & is echoed so it sounds like LL.....LoL, guess that was their way of easing the listeners into the LL Cool J DiSS track "2nd Round K.O." featuring former boxer Mike Tyson...

"2nd Round K.O." is probably the album`s best track, not because of the whole LL DiSS but more so because it`s a song that actually allows that battle hungry/ underground emcee to show his true colors over a beat that`s also one of the album`s better moments production~wise. "What`s Going On?" is an anti gun anthem that has `Bis askin` the knuckle~heads to leave the firearms at home when headin` out for the night. A song that speaks for most of the fans of Hip Hop, you know the ones that aren`t packin` heat but beats instead. Wyclef then decides to follow things up with "I Honor U", one of the album`s weaker moments. I say Wyclef because you can just tell that this joint is all his idea; from it`s lame uninspiring beat to it`s R&B styled hook. You can see that he was attempting to go for radio play with this one, talking about failed relationships from the female`s side of things -- the only problem is that the attempt isn`t all that well executed...

The hippy~vibed "Hype-Nitis" is an ode to Biz Markie`s CLaSSiC song "Vapors" that features Jenny Fujita singing the hook. "How We Roll" has Canibus rippin` his lyrics over a boom~bapp`N beat produced by Clark Kent while Panama P.I. takes on the duty of handling the hook. "Channel Zero" features an uncredited appearance from Mr. Cheeks of the Lost Boyz who can be heard delivering the song`s hook while Canibus spits UFO conspiracy influenced flows over another Clark Kent production. "Let`s Ride" is another one of the album`s weaker tracks, although the beat is pretty lame Canibus still manages to rap well over it. "Buckingham Palace" has Canibus delivering some quality lyrics over a moody~vibed beat, sure the hook`s a lil` simplistic but aside from that this joint is definitely a good listen. "Rip Rock" comes off as a lame attempt at sounding like Run DMC with it`s Rock-n-Roll influenced beat produced by Jerry Wonder, while `Bis sounds a lil` awkward flowin` over the instrumental. This is where the album would end if you had the US or Canadian versions, but if you got your hands on the UK release there`s actually a bonus track on there. The extra song in question is titled "How Come?" & it features Youssou N`Dour & Wyclef, it was originally featured as the third song on the "Bulworth Soundtrack"...

So that`s my thoughts on the original incarnation of the album, now let`s get to the 'bonus cuts' that I decided to add on to the album to give it a lil` extended play. The first song is the "Black Out Remix" of Yvette Michele`s joint "DJ Keep Playin`" featuring both Canibus & Black Rob. I`ve always dug that Yvette Michele song & how can ya go wrong with `Bis & Rob as features? It`s off a 12 inch single if you`re curious. "Group Home Family" was originally featured on the soundtrack to the 1997 film "Sprung", it`s a collabo` joint between Canibus, Panama P.I. & Mr. Cheeks. "Uni-4-Orm" is another collabo` that features Ras Kass, Canibus & Heltah Skeltah that was originally on the soundtrack to the 1996 Hip Hop documentary "Rhyme & Reason". "Seriously" is a Funkmaster Flex produced track that`s from the Flip Squad Allstar DJ`s album released back in 1998 featuring Boe & Villa, two kats who I have never heard of. The "4-3-2-1 Rmx" is off an LL Cool J 12 inch single for that song, figured that I would include the song that started the whole beef between `Bis & LL. I decided to follow that joint up with the original verse that Canibus spit for "4-3-2-1", just wish I had the entire song without any DJ adlibs. The last track on here is a live extended version of "2nd Round K.O." that Canibus performed while he was on Kiss FM London back in 1998. Gotta BiG~uP DJ Step One for that joint, much appreciated homie! Don`t wait any longer, go `head & give the album another listen you may just enjoy it this time around...

Canibus - Can-I-Bus [HeRBaN DeLuXe VeRSioN]

Label: Universal Records

Released: 1998-2013

1. Intro

2. Patriots {ft. Pras & Free}

3. Get Retarded

4. Niggonometry

5. 2nd Round K.O. {ft. Mike Tyson}

6. What`s Going On?

7. I Honor U {ft. MB^2}

8. Hype-Nitis {ft. Jenny Fujita}

9. How We Roll {ft. Panama P.I.}

10. Channel Zero {ft. Mr. Cheeks}

11. Let`s Ride {ft. Pras, Product & Wyclef}

12. Buckingham Palace

13. Rip Rock

14. How Come? {ft. Youssou N`Dour & Wyclef}

15. DJ Keep Playin` [Black Out Rmx] {ft. Yvette Michele & Black Rob}

16. Group Home Family {ft. Mr. Cheeks & Panama P.I.}

17. Uni-4-Orm {ft. Ras Kass & Heltah Skeltah}

18. Seriously {ft. Funkmaster Flex, Boe & Villa}

19. 4-3-2-1 [E-Dub Rmx] {ft. Method Man, Redman, DMX, Master P & LL Cool J}

20. 4-3-2-1 [Original Verse]

21. 2nd Round Knockout [Live on Kiss FM London (1998)]

 

N`JoY...

CeLLSKi`s "CaNaDiaN BaCoN & HaSH BRoWNs"...

Re~uPP`d, originally posted 07.10.2012...

What`s poppin` y`all? Got somewhat of a gem, at least to some folks out there -- collectors mainly I`m guessin`. I say this because for some reason it`s goin` for about $1700 over here. It`s kind of funny to me seein` as how I was able to find this at a good ol` pawn shop for the hefty price of $2....LoL, imagine that! Honestly I had no idea it was worth that much, I just grabbed it because I thought the cover art was kind of iLL. Had no idea about who this Cellski kat was, but it didn`t stop me from coppin` this joint. After all the price was right, so now I`m goin` to share it with y`all. From what I can tell about Cellski/ Young Cellski a.k.a. 2-Took is that he reps San Fransisco....Bay Area baby! He`s been rappin` since he was 13-14 years old, back in 1987-88 when he kicked it with Al Eaton up in Al`s studio. That`s where Too $hort was recordin` "Life Is...Too $hort", Cougnut also recorded "I`m Rollin`" there. Too $hort`s actually a really BiG influence on Cellski, just peep what he said during an interview that he did with Thizzler.com;

"It’s funny—he never even knew that he was the biggest influence on my career, period. If it wasn’t for $hort, I never woulda rapped. Everywhere he went, I followed. I was a young nigga, thirteen, fourteen[years old]. I was hustling, got six or seven thousand [dollars] put up, so it was nothing for me to spend forty dollars an hour on studio time back then..."

So only a few years later, in 1992 Cellski recorded his first raps to cassette. He does well movin` 1000 units, earning himself $6000. Forget the drug game, it was clear to him from that moment on that Rap music was going to be his new profession. Even though Al Eaton helped him out a lil` bit when it came to producing the beats, Cellski pretty much taught himself. After all he was loopin` up drum beats on a Sequential TOM (drum machine) at the age of ten. Eventually he dropped his debut album in 1995 titled "Mr. Predicter" on the label Inner City Records. So that`s all that I know of Cellski, if there`s anything else that I left out please feel free to school me! The album I`m sharin` with y`all is Cellski`s second titled "Canadian Bacon & Hash Browns" & it was released in 1998. I`m not a genius here, but I`m guessin` that the album`s title is a reference to Canada`s good ol` Marijuana. Feature~wise you get appearances from Ager-Man (of 3x Krazy fame), U.N.L.V., Dirt Bag, Dirty Dame, San Quinn & Messy Marv -- so you`re definitely gettin` your Bay Area dosage. Like previously mentioned, Cellski handles the production on all the tracks while his homie Chess worked the keyboards. The beats go pretty hard on this joint, definitely suggest BuMP`n this in ya` ride. Bangers for me are; "Cali", "Back Streets", "West Bay ''G''", "Life Is A Gamble", "Coffee Beans" (my fav` joint), "M.M.M" & "Fast Life Livin`". So there ya have it, go `head & check it out for ya`self...

Cellski - Canadian Bacon & Hash Browns

Label: Inner City Records

Released: 1998

1. On The Run [Intro]
2. Big Mafia
3. Cali
4. Doin` Thangs {ft. S.B.}
5. Back Streets
6. West Bay ''G''
7. Life Is A Gamble
8. Deeper
9. The Biggie
10. Chedda
11. Coffee Beans {ft. Ager-Man}
12. Straight Game [Interlude]
13. Young Rydas {ft. Dirty Dame}
14. Same Ass Niggas [Skit]
15. M.M.M. {ft. U.N.L.V.}
16. Hoe Stories {ft. S.B. & Dirt Bag}
17. Savages
18. Fast Life Livin` {ft. San Ouinn & Messy Marv}

 

 

SoLiDFiLeS LiNK...

N`JoY...