Saukrates` "Still Caught Up [12 Inch HeRBaN DeLuXe VeRSioN]"...

 What`s good? What`s happenin`?? What`s lovely y`all??? I made it thru another work week thank God! `Cuz I won`t even lie, on my 'Friday' which is actually a Saturday night I truly wanted to choke the ish outta one of my supervisors because they were doing some real dumb ish, but I took a walk away from the situation used some PTO & clocked the fuck out & started my weekend early instead. 😉 I gotta keep my job, until I find another way to support myself & my son. 😁Anyway, now that all that Life ish`s out the way, let`s get to the music shall we...

What I`m dustin` off this time around to share with y`all is Saukrates` very first 12 inch single that pretty much introduced himself to the Hip Hop world. It was originally released way back in 1994 thru Steppin` Bigga Records. I don`t know much about that label aside from it being independent, but from what I can tell it was probably Toronto, Canada based. They also released 12 inches from other Toronto artists like Freaks Of Reality, Da Grass Roots, as well as Apple & Orange (their single was actually the label`s first release "Givin` Ya A Taste bw I Kick Da Flava")...

Unfortunately there`s somewhat of a disconnect when it comes to the tracklisting on the 12 inch itself versus what`s on the actual 12 inch record, nothing matches up. Unless there`s another 12 inch version that`s out there the label stickers are completely wrong. 😄I`m thinking that the label owners or perhaps those that pressed up the record made the mistakes, either way the sticker labels don`t match up. So with all this being discovered I figured 'Fuck It' I`m going to give this the ol` HeRBaN DeLuXe VeRSioN treatment as well! 😉Basically the DJ in me said yo there`s some accapellas & instrumentals missin` on this joint so I used some AI to strip them out of the available tracks. Maaaaaaaan...I soooooo wish that I had access to this type of software 20 years ago! The mixes that could`ve been create back then... 😆

The single opens up with "Still Caught Up", a solid introduction for Saukirates. The "Why are you on the dick?" KRS-One sample scratched in on the chorus only adds to the beat that was also produced by Saukrates himself. The next track is the clean version, it`s ok but y`all know that I`m not a huge fan of them clean/radio versions anyway. The third joint`s the Instrumental, a chance for ya to nod ya` head or let your inner emcee flex & bust a freestyle if you so very well choose to do. 😉 The "Still Caught Up [Rmx]" is next once, again it`s produced by Big Sox himself. The beat`s a bit more on the mellower side than the original, but still DoPe nonetheless. I can`t even front, at first I thought that Kardinal Offishall was doing the hook but it`s actually this kat named Kool Aid. I`m not sure who he is, but he definitely sounded like Kardi` on there. 😁 "Skillz Ta Thrill" closes out the original version of the 12 inch single. It`s got a nice head noddin` underground vibe to it, again produced by Saukrates. It also features an appearance from LJ a.k.a. Lock Jaw, some of y`all may remember him from his appearance on Kardinal Offishall`s debut album "Eye & I" on the track "My Niah". Actually I believe that these are the only 2 songs that I`ve ever heard him on to be honest. Anyway "Skillz Ta Thrill" is a decent tune, but unfortunately the version on this 12 inch is the clean edit. So it`s got some of them edits thru~out which kind of sucks, but it`s still a good song nonetheless...

The remaining tracks that I added to this HeRBaN DeLuXe VeRSioN are just the previously mentioned vocals & instrumentals that I stripped from the tracks. I figured that it needed to be done, especially since the 12 inch sticker label says that it has the "Still Caught Up [Rmx]" instrumental on it when it`s not actually on there at all. 😂I had to do the single some justice & correct things. 😉So there you have it y`all, enjoy this debut from one of Canada`s iLLeST emcees/producers...

 

 

 

Saukrates - Still Caught Up [12 Inch HeRBaN DeLuXe VeRSioN]

Label: N/A (Steppin` Bigga Records

Released: 2024 (1994)

1. Still Caught Up

2. Still Caught Up [Clean]

3. Still Caught Up [Instr.]

4. Still Caught Up [Rmx] {ft. Kool Aid}

5. Skillz Ta Thrill [Clean] {ft. LJ a.k.a. Lock Jaw}

6. Still Caught Up [Vocals]

7. Still Caught Up [Clean Vocals]

8. Still Caught Up [Rmx Vocals] {ft. Kool Aid}

9. Still Caught Up [Rmx Instr.]

10. Skillz Ta Thrill [Clean Vocals] {ft. LJ a.k.a. Lock Jaw}

11. Skillz Ta Thrill [Instr.]

BaCK~uP LiNK #1...

BaCK~uP LiNK #2...

N`JoY...

SauKRaTeS` "ACTioN [HeRBaN DeLuXe VeRSioN 12 iNCH]"...

What`s good? What`s happenin`?? What`s lovely y`all??? Hopefully you`re in good health & takin` good take of y`all selves! I think I`m comin` down with a lil` Cold or something courtesy of my son & his DaMn school. 😠You know how it goes tho if you`re a parent, school`s just one BiG fuckin` germ factory unfortunately! It`s crazy `cuz he`s only been there for like a week. 😂 Anyway, I`ve been going thru a few of my HDD`s & decided to dust off a good ol` Canadian Hip Hop gem of a 12 inch from one of Canada`s Hip Hop forefathers Saukrates. If you`re not familiar with this kat`s music that`s alright, I`ll be sharing some more of his stuff in the next couple of posts. So eventually I`ll be doing a deep~dive on his contributions to this music we all love...

 

The original 12 inch single was released back in 1999 thru Capital Hill Music Inc. & got plenty of play when it was first released on the college Hip Hop radio shows. At least in my hometown Ottawa, Ontario -- I`m certain it was the same across Canada anyway. Sadly these joints off the 12 inch never made their way onto an actual album, which is a complete missed opportunity in my opinion. Anyway, like I said I had to dust these tunes off because they deserve to be heard by y`all Hip Hop heads. While I was listening to this 12 inch the DJ in me got to wondering why there`s no vocals/accapella tracks on this single. So I decided to put my HeRBaN DeLuXe VeRSioN touches on this joint. The only thing that I figured was missing was the previously mentioned accapellas, so I used some AI ish & stripped the vocals from the tracks for y`all DJ`s out there that may want to do some remixes, blends or what have you. Obviously the accapellas aren`t legit studio joints, but they`re not too far off... 

 

Now out of the 2 tracks on here, yeah-yeah you get the edited & instrumental joints as well, but out of the 2 joints on this single I really prefer the remix. I just feel that the lyrics & beat bang harder than the original. Both tunes are solid tho, don`t get it twisted yo! The original single only had 6 tracks so clearly the remaining joints are the ones that I`ve added as a bonus, enjoy...

 

 

 

Saukrates - Action [HeRBaN DeLuXe VeRSioN 12 Inch]

Label: N/A (Capitol Hill Ent. Inc.)

Released: 2024

 

 

 

1. Action [Radio Edit]

2. Action [Raw Mix]

3. Action [Instr.]

4. Action [Rmx Radio Edit]

5. Action [Rmx Raw Mix]

6. Action [Rmx Instr.]

7. Action [Radio Edit Accapella]

8. Action [Raw Mix Accapella]

9. Action [Rmx Radio Edit Accapella]

10. Action [Rmx Raw Mix Accapella]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 BaCK~uP LiNK #1...

 

 

 

 BaCK~uP LiNK #2...

N`JoY...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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...

BiSHoP BRiGaNTe`s "iT`s Fo` TWeNTy [Promo CD Single]"...

 

 Nate Dogg`s gon` be mad...

 

What`s good? What`s happenin`?? What`s lovely ya`ll??? Earlier today I was going thru some more of the files on that external harddrive that I`ve been tellin` y`all about in some of the previous posts & found this somewhat of a rarity, physically anyway. Figured it was only right to share it with y`all because honestly I feel it should be heard by more folks! What`s great about this one is that I can tell y`all how I ended up with this. It was waaaaaaaay back in 2007, it was probably in the Summer or early Fall. The homie Rusty Needle put the CD on while we were celebrating 420 at 7:30 in the PM. 😉 Instantly I had him Nero CD burning it for me! At the time I hadn`t heard it, I was blown away by the Nate Dogg feature. Can`t lie, I`ve always dug Nate`s skills musically oth rappin` & especially the singing! The fact that he had done a song with Scarborough`s (Toronto stand up!) Bishop Brigante was incredibly awesome in my ears. The subject matter of said tune only made me dig it more.😆Aside from funding, that`s the only reason why this tune didn`t get the shine that it truly should have received. Perhaps the song was too far ahead of its time, I`m just guessing that Bishop`s label couldn`t afford the video fees. This single should most definitely received a music video in my opinion!!!

Bishop Brigante ft. Nate Dogg - It`s Fo` Twenty [Promo CD Single]

Label: Bodog Music

Released: 2007

 

 

 

1. It`s Fo` Twenty [Radio] {ft. Nate Dogg}

2. It`s Fo` Twenty [Street] {ft. Nate Dogg}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BaCK~uP LiNK #1...

 

 

BaCK~uP LiNK #2...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R.i.P. NaTe DoGG...

 

Kardinal Offishall`s "Eye & I" [HeRBaN DeLuXe VeRSioN]...

What`s good? What`s happenin`?? What`s lovely y`all??? Hopefully Life`s treating you well, it`s rough out here for a Human nowadays! With that being said I`m here to celebrate this highly overlooked album from the Canadian Hip Hop Ambassador himself, Mr. Kardinal Offishall. It`s been so over~look`D that I had to put my HeRBaN DeLuXe VeRSioN touches on it. You know, so it receives the proper light that it should be getting.😉 It`s actually his debut album titled "Eye & I" originally released back in 1997 thru Capitol Hill Music Inc. The album was recorded during 1996 & 1997. Kardi` produced most of the album himself; except for "Sweet Marie" & "Jeevin (Life)" which were produced by Saukrates. While the both of them produced the opening track "Breakdown (Keep Moving)" together...

So let`s keep it moving & get to the "Breakdown" shall we? YeS-YeS, it`s fresh & smooth with features from Saukrates & Denosh (some of y`all may have heard her on the Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth joint "It`s A Love Thing" released in 2004). It`s a decent way to open up an album, Kardinal flexes his lyrical prowess while Denosh & Saukrates mellow out the hook. The album`s first single "On Wid Da Show" follows with some features from Afrolistics (a.k.a. Ro Dolla) & Tara Chase. It`s most definitely the first banger on Mr. Offishall`s debut...

 

 "Da Brown" is next & I`m not even goin` to front this hook got stuck in my head for 2 weeks straight after revisiting it for some reason. Probably because it reminds me of that 1980`s Body Rap toy😉 Kardi` does his thing of course. The first "Hint-A-Lude" is pretty much just a one time listen thing. It`s not ever a necessity to enjoy the rest of the album, but you know how the `90's albums were with their skits & interludes. BiG~uP De La Soul! 😆 "Mysteries" follows with its smooth`D~out vibes, I`m sure that there`s a few uncredited features on this joint because I can clearly hear that there`s some other folks contributing but I`ve got no idea who they are, either way tho it`s a decent listen. "P.W.O.T."; the Ro Dolla a.k.a. Afrolistics & Kardinal Offishall collabo` comes next & neither emcee disappoints. Although I feel Kardinal owns the track, my opinion of course. "Brothers function with an automatic slang, Yang makes the Yin. We slang rhyme banging off the walls like Brooklyn Smalls, yo we Biggie"!!! 

 

The woman~appreciation anthem "My Niah" featuring L.J a.k.a. Lock Jaw comes next & gives women the respect that they`re deserving, ladies we do love all of y`all!😉"Madmoizellez" has Kardi` flexin` game to his girl, while Wade O. Brown provides the R&B vibes to the hook & the rest of the track. From what I know of Wade O. Brown, he has been doin` his thing on the R&B tip as early as 1997 up in Canada. I first heard him on the Beat Factory`s "GROOVEssentials Vol. 1" compilation on the track "Give Me The Chance". Once again the second "Hint-A-Lude" isn`t anything of necessity, listening~wise. "Make It Happen" features Van~City`s Red1 of the Rascalz, bringin` an East/West Canadian collabo` to the album. Kardi` & Red1 pretty much hold their own going back & forth over the Kardinal Offishall produced track which  also includes an uncredited Saukrates feature on the song`s hook. "W.I. Philosophi" is another interlude & it features Miss Raelene, I`m not exactly sure who she is. Most likely someone that Kardinal knows, sadly tho she`s delivering a message that`s still~relevant today, some 27 years later!!!

 

 "Sweet Marie" featuring Nicole Sinclair is next & has Kardi` paying homage & respect to his mother, just as all men should! Not quite on "Dear Mama"`s level, however still a DoPe tune nonetheless! After the heart~felt stuff comes "Bellee Buss (Don`t Make Me Laugh)". This joint`s more of a lyrical skill flexin` track for Kardinal with it`s chucklin` 'get on it` hook sample. "LoLo" would definitely make Uncle Luke proud! I`m not sure if that was his intent, but it sure comes off that way to me with its Miami Bass Music vibes😉.Tara Chase is featured & introduced on the Kardinal produced "King Of Da Hill". Perhaps this was recorded before ''On Wid Da Show''? I couldn`t tell ya unfortunately. Even with its Jazzy vibes, I won`t even try to lie "Elle A" is the only track that I skip over on this album & realistically it`s not even a song it`s more of a super long interlude, so I don`t feel so bad in doing so😆. "Jeevin` (Life)", which also has the album`s second music video featuring Jully Black (Most will probably know of her work on Nas` "Heaven" track from 2002). Jully is flexin` her talent early on in her career here for y`all...

"Naughty Dread Pt. II" is the bangin` self~produced sequel to his introduction to the Hip Hop world on the 1996 released BeatFactory`s "Rap Essentials Vol. 1" compilation. I`m surprised that it never received an actual music video because the tune`s definitely a banger! Then again so should have the original, again that`s just my opinion. The third "Hint-A-Lude" isn`t anything special either after one listen. The double~time`D call & response "Friday Night" closes out the retail release of the album. It`s not the greatest of tunes to close out an album, but it`s still definitely enjoyable...

 

 Now y`all know me...when I`m celebrating an album I try to make it a truly enjoyable experience for the listener, especially if the record labels are sleepin`! The fans definitely want this type of stuff, if you think other~wise you`re trippin` with no luggage & missin` out on some for~certain revenue! It`s y`all labels` loss, I`ll do ya` job for ya😏So on this HeRBaN DeLuXe VeRSioN we definitely had to start things off by adding the very first song that I heard from Kardinal Offishall; the self~produced "Naughty Dread" from the previously mentioned "Rap Essentials Vol. 1". A DoPe introduction indeed, but that`s only my opinion. Now for a much more rawer version, there`s the "Naughty Dread [Elington West Mix]". This is my preferred version simply because there`s no edits here yo! I truly enjoy this version of the track the most for obvious reasons 😆. 

 

The "Naughty Dread [Rmx]" features Marvel & Ms. Nici on more of an underground grimy sound. Sadly it`s somewhat edited, but still enjoyable nonetheless, it`s also produced by Kardinal. The Saukrates produced "On Wid Da Show [Original Clean Mix]" features Jaden, Mali as well as Saukrates. In my opinion this version`s definitely much more on the catchier~side, word~up! Oh yeah, I also decided to include some YouTube ripped music video files for "Jeevin`" & "On Wid Da Show" as an extra added bonus. So enjoy & celebrate this underappreciated debut from one of Canada`s iLLeST talents. Thank you Mr. Offishall for blessin` HiP HoP with this mighty fine album right here, I SaLuTe ya` efforts & appreciate the many hours that I`ve spent listened to it & the many more hours that you spent creating this gem!!!

✊✊✊

Oh  CaNaDa!!!

Kardinal Offishall - Eye & I [HeRBaN DeLuXe VeRSioN] (2023)

Label: N/A

Released: 2023

 

 

 

1. Breakdown (Keep Moving) {ft. Denosh & Saukrates}

2. On Wid Da Show {ft. Afrolistics & Tara Chase}

3. Da Brown

4. Hint-A-Lude #1

5. Mysteries

6. P.W.O.T. {ft. Afrolistics}

7. My Niah {ft. L.J.}

8. Madmoizellez {ft. Wade O. Brown}

9. Hint-A-Lude #2

10. Make It Happen {ft. Red-1 & Saukrates}

11. W.I. Philosophi {ft. Miss Raelene}

12. Sweet Marie {ft. Nicole Sinclair}

13. Bellee Buss (Don`t Make Me Laugh)

14. LoLo

15. King Of Da Hill {ft. Tara Chase}

16. Elle A

17. Jeevin` (Life) {ft. Jully Black}

18. Naughty Dread Pt. II

19. Hint-A-Lude #3

20. Friday Night

21. Naughty Dread

22. Naughty Dread [Elington West Mix]

23. Naughty Dread [Rmx] {ft. Marvel & Ms. Nici}

24. On Wid Da Show [Original Clean Mix] {ft. Jaden, Mali & Saukrates}

 

 

 

 

 

 BaCK~uP LiNK #1...

 

 

 

 

 

 

BaCK~uP LiNK...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

N`JoY....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WyZe iNTeLLeCT PReSeNTs "MeDiTaTioN: CHaPTeR 2"...

What`s happenin` y`all? Hope all is well & good with you! Today I have another project from my homie Wyze Intellect to share with y`all. For those of you that have been visiting the blog for a while now you should remember that I have posted up a couple projects that he has been involved with on here. The first post dates back all the way to 2009 (which needs some new links, workin` on re~uPP`n it y`all don`t worry!) & the second post was dropped last year when I shared with y`all SageInfinite`s DoPe "Great Minds Think Alike", so y`all should be somewhat familiar with his work. Anyways this mixtape is more of a compilation of some of Wyze Intellect`s best efforts dating back to 2007. There`s a good variety of artists on this joint though some have a few more songs on here than others. Overall you get a nice well rounded project, the beats themselves are solid straight up! Some of the songs may not be everyone`s cup of tea or Rum & Coke if that`s what you prefer to drink.....LoL, but honestly there isn`t one completely wack tune out of the bunch. Sure there`s a couple R&B flavored joints & even some Christian or God/ Jesus themed songs, but even those tracks are far from weak...


The project opens up with Othello`s "Awake Bounce", a nice way to start things off. Othello`s flows mesh perfectly with the funky DoPe beat & the funny voiced intro & hook breaks just make this track that much more entertaining. New Jersey`s P Genz follows the opening track with "Grandslam", it has a nice `90's vibe to it & Genz brings the lyrics to match it. A Definite head nod inducing beat for sure! Headin` back up to Canada for the next track, Toronto & Halifax representers Muneshine & Ghettosocks collab` on "Nice Guys Finish Last" & they let y`all know exactly why that is over the track`s mellow`D out beat. 'Chicago`s finest', Kastaway reppin` the Westside streets of North Lawndale & Garfield Park comes thru with "Rest". It`s another song backed by a smooth & mellow beat while Kastaway kicks rhymes about his Life`s journey & the struggles that he`s had to deal with all the while just trying to get some rest...


Toronto`s Mr. Erbie a.k.a. Young U connects with the Infamous Mobb`s Ty Nitty for "I Used To". On this T.Dot to QB collabo` both emcees spit reminiscing flows about their Lives over a slightly simple but head bobbin` beat. The self introductory "It`s Theo! [Rmx]" by Toronto`s Theology3 a.k.a. Theo3 is pure Boom Bap gold to your ears! dCypha & Nya Thryce follow things up with their collabo` payin` homage to the culture & art~form that they both love on "Hip Hop", got to love the saxophone work on the beat (I believe it`s a sax` anyway :)! Toronto`s Nigel Woodz & Neva Hurd connect on the Gospel R&B vibed "Answer The Door", Woodz handles the singin` while Neva Hurd spits the raps. This joint may not be for everyone, but you can`t deny that it`s message is on the positive tip, no question. Alphabetic & Guck collab` for "All Day", I believe that these kats rep` Kamloops, BC (if I`m wrong please school me!). This joint for me just doesn`t hold my attention, the beat`s decent but it`s mainly the emcees` flows that I wasn`t really DiGG`n much. They just didn`t seem too enthusiastic with their rhymes on this one. Don`t judge by this track alone though because I`ve heard some other joints on Guck`s soundcloud that are pretty entertaining...


New Jersey emcee SageInfinite does his thing on "The Puzzle", droppin` them deep thought sparkin` lyrics. Lettin` the listeners know that Life is a puzzle & getting the pieces to fit is a struggle, that`s why Life isn`t a walk in the park. Continuing with the Jersey vibe P Genz delivers his second track on this compilation titled "Metropolis Nights", it`s got a nice laid~back vibe to it. Freeport, New York`s P-Hill drops the love laced track "For You", a joint that has the emcee professing his love over a syrupy~mellow beat. Back to Toronto for Neva Hurd`s second appearance on this compilation with the storytelling joint "Baby Momz". Over a cinematic type backdrop Hurd kicks the tale of a baby mother & her struggles. Following the storytelling SageInfinite contributes his second joint on the compilation titled "Heat!" The beat`s got a nostalgic 8-bit NES vibe to it while Sage` spits lyrical flames...


"Let`s Ride" is P Genz`s third outing, this time around he switches things up & decides to holla at the ladies with this one, it`s got a lil` R&B flavor to it. Dublin, Ireland gets represented on this compilation as well with Terawrizt & Rawsoul`s "So Cold". It`s a nice track stocked with a beat that compliments both katz` flows as they kick lyrics about this cold~cold world that we`re livin` in. "Brave In The Heart" is another Irish contribution by Nugget & Terawriz, it`s got a similar vibe to the previous track. A decent outing, though I prefer "So Cold" a lil` more. After those 2 songs we head back to New Jersey for Chris Morale`s "Untouchable". It`s a short lil` track clockin` in at just under 2 minutes which is fine with me because Chris` flow on here is a lil` uninspired, the beat`s nice with it`s dark vibes though. Delivering his third & fourth contributions for the compilation SageInfinite gives us both the original version as well as the remix for "What`s Ya` Life Worth?" Both joints are bangin` in my opinion so it`s hard to choose which version I like best. Beat~wise I just can`t call it `cuz I`m DiGG`n `em equally, lyrically Sage` spits some thought sparkin` ish regarding one`s self worth...

 
P Genz gives us his fourth & final contribution with the James Brown vibed "Jam Session (Get Down)", would definitely love to get a hold of the instrumental for this track (as well as the closing track :). "Family" is a posse cut type of joint featuring the likes of Othello, Jyoung, P.H.I.L.T.H.Y, Poems, Venson, Omega & Red Pill. I`m not sure where exactly these kats are from, but they do deliver some good flows over it`s jazzy~vibed beat. Things close out with the R&B vibes of New York`s Mista Perez`s "Meditation". The beat`s great, I really like the sax`D out rhythms! So there ya have it y`all much like Wyze Intellect`s first installment in this Meditation series you get songs from not only Canada & the US, but Ireland as well. Beat~wise this compilation is pretty DaMn solid, song~wise it`s a decent outing. Not every song is great, but overall it`s a solid effort. Wyze Intellect definitely shows that he`s a versatile producer that can tackle a wide variety of styles which makes for a nice listen. So go `head & check it out, if ya DiG what you`ve heard & you want to support some DoPe music feel free to visit his BandCamp page & cop the project there...

 Wyze Intellect Presents - Meditation: Chapter 2

Label: N/A

Released: 2014

1. Awake Bounce {Othello}
2. Grand Slam {P Genz}
3. Nice Guys Finish Last {Muneshine & Ghettosocks}
4. Rest {Kastaway}
5. I Used To {Mr. Erbie & Ty Nitty}
6. It`s Theo! [Rmx] {Theology3}
7. Hip Hop {dCypha & Nya Thryce}
8. Answer The Door {Nigel Woodz & Neva Hurd}
9. All Day {Alphabetic & Guck}
10. The Puzzle {SageInfinite}
11. Metropolis Nights {P Genz}
12. For You {P-Hill}
13. Baby Momz {Neva Hurd}
14. Heat! {SageInfinite}
15. Let`s Ride {P Genz}
16. So Cold {Terawrizt & Rawsoul}
17. Brave In The Heart {Nugget & Terawrizt}
18. Untouchable {Chris Morale}
19. What`s Ya` Life Worth [Original & Rmx] {SageInfinite}
20. Jam Session (Get Down) {P Genz}
21. Family {Othello, Jyoung, P.H.I.L.T.H.Y, Poems, Venson, Omega & Red Pill}
22. Meditation {Mista Perez}

N`JoY...

CHoCLaiR`s "iCe CoLD [HeRBaN DeLuXe VeRSioN]"...

Re~uPP`d, originally posted 01.02.2013... 

 

 

 

 

Today is a wonderful day y`all! Why`s that you ask? Well I have another joint to share with y`all that received the HeRBaN DeLuXe treatment! That album is Choclair`s debut album released thru Virgin Music back in 1999 titled "Ice Cold" (the American version of the album was released by Priority Records). The reason that I decided to 'enhance' the album by making it an HeRBaN DeLuXe VeRSioN is really simple. "Suave Dirt Dogs", the collabo` with the late, great & unforgettable Ol` Dirty Bastard never made it to the album & the US version of the album actually has a song featuring Rahzel that`s not on the Canadian release; "First Thing". I always wanted that O.D.B. collabo` on there & why not have that joint with Rahzel as well to extend the listening experience? Finally, there`s the lil` interludes that I added...well I didn`t really add them, they were at the end of some songs. I just did a lil` editing & made `em their own tracks to make listening to the album a much smoother transition from track to track...

 

 

To make things a lil` more interesting I made this album a sort of choose your own adventure type thing....LoL, remember them books in grade school? Y`all `80's babies should anyway....LoL, you can listen to the album as it is with tracks 1-23 or you could remove track #22 "Rollin` [Radio]" & replace it with the Rahzel collabo` "First Thing". The reason I suggest the latter is simple really, it`s not the actual 'Radio version' of the track, it`s pretty much the same as the album version with all the cussin` & ish it just has a shorter intro on the track which makes it about a minute shorter in length. Guess they just meant that it was a shorter track so it would fit better into a radio station`s playlist or something, `cuz honestly there`s nothing edited about the track.....LoL

 

 

Now for those of you that may not be up on just who Choclair is I`ll make an attempt to school ya. Choclair, reps Scarborough, Ontario (East Toronto) & first stepped onto the Hip Hop scene in the early 1990`s. Eventually he released his first 12 inch single, the Day Productions produced "Twenty One Years" in 1995 thru his own independently run label Knee Deep Records. His track is actually on the B-Side of the single....another gem of a track is on the flip side & that track is none other than Saukrates` "Father Time". Two CLaSSiC Canadian Hip Hop songs, not too shabby at all for a label`s first release! The following year in 1996 the label would also go on to release another first, that first was from Kardinal Offishall. Knee Deep Records released his debut single "Naughty Dread" which earned him a Juno Award nomination, but that`s another story all together for another post....so let`s get back to Choclair...

 

 

The underground quickly caught on to the emcee`s debut track. All that attention eventually led to other folks taking notice & not just the folks up in Canada either. The legendary DJ Premier sampled the track for Gang Starr`s "You Know My Steez" (maybe that`s what led to Guru`s appearance on "Bare Witness" who knows?). Clearly Choclair was doin` something right, so he continued working on his music & in 1996 he released another 12 inch single "Just A Second b/w What It Takes". Both tracks continued to impress the heads, I`m still a fan of "What It Takes" which also features fellow Circle member Jully Black on the hook. The Circle; a combination of The Figurez Of Speech crew & the Paranormal crew, is basically a collective of artists & producers from Toronto. Members include; Saukrates, Choclair, Kardinal Offishall, Frankenstein, YLook, Jully Black, Marvel, Solitair, Ro Ro Dolla, Thrust & Tara Chase...

 

 

With the success of his first two singles Choclair felt that it only made sense to take the next step. So he decided to test the waters & released an EP titled "What It Takes" in 1997 using his Knee Deep Records label once again. It contained 10 tracks in total; 4 songs, an Interlude & 5 Instrumentals. The EP did well, after all it did earn Choclair a Juno Award in 1997 for Best Rap Recording. The "What It Takes" music video & the 12 inch single for "What It Takes [Rmx]" helped Choclair`s project get more exposure..

 

 

 

After the EP he continued to release music to keep his name buzzin`. One thing that he did that`s cemented his name in the Canadian Hip Hop History Books is that he landed a feature on the CLaSSiC collabo` "Northern Touch" along with fellow Canadians the Rascalz, Kardinal Offishall, Checkmate & Thrust. This Hip Hop anthem earned all the artists involved a gold record (sales~wise)... 

 

 

 

In 1998 he dropped another 12 inch single "Internal Affairs b/w Silver Surfer". The A-Side of the single "Internal Affairs" is a Choclair joint that also features fellow Circle members Frankenstein, Kardinal Offishall & Marvel, while the B-Side of the single is a Solitair solo joint titled "Silver Surfer". Following that single Knee Deep Records released the "Planet Mars EP"; a short compilation of sorts that features joints from Marvel, Solitair & Choclair, Kardinal Offishall (ft. YLook), Nefarious, Frankenstein, Thrust & K-OS. It wasn`t too long after releasing the "Planet Mars EP" that Choclair decided that it was time to expand his team so he joined with Virgin Music Canada & in 1999 he signed with Priority Records so he could release his debut album titled "Ice Cold"...

Once he signed with the major label of course that`s when a lot of heads started hatin` on Choclair claimin` that he had sold out. So he responded by releasing "Flagrant" as a single in 1999. The track was produced by Saukrates, it`s basically a very DoPe 'BiG Fuck You!' to the industry, his critics & everyone else that was doubting him at the time. He followed that single up with his debut album, "Ice Cold" which mostly featured production from members of The Circle (Saukrates, Kardinal Offishall, Frankenstein & Solitair), but Da Grassroots & K-Cut also had a helping hand with the beats. The album was certified Gold in Canada & the album`s hit single "Let`s Ride" featuring Saukrates has been a Summer anthem up in Canada since it`s release. With all that being said let`s get to the album shall we???

The album opens up with Manal ''Prima'' Hajj (not too sure who she is) babblin`. Eventually she warns us not to bootleg the album or "you`ll get bashed"...Ha~HaH! The album`s title track "Ice Cold" clues the listeners into what know what they`re in store for. Da Grassroots do a great job providing an iLL mellow but cool`D out beat for Choclair to flex his shit~talkin`, sexual & all around ice cold lyrics. The Kardinal Offishall produced "Let`s Ride" follows & it features Saukrates on the hook & intro of the track. It`s a great joint for the Summer & gets every BBQ movin`, Little X also did a good job directing the music video... 

 

 

 

Ok, so for the first Interlude on this HeRBaN DeLuXe VeRSioN I simply just took it & split if from the end of "Let`s Ride" & made it its own track. Saukrates produced "Rubbin`" & he also appears on the hook. This one has Choclair expressin` his love for the ladies, with it`s clubbish vibes it`s sure to get a few folks dancing. "Takin` It In" is another joint produced by Saukrates. Choclair targets the fakers & wannabe playas on this one, exposin` `em for what they are. On "Bare Witness" Choclair connected with the late & great Guru of Gang Starr over a thumpin` beat produced by Kardinal Offishall with cuts by DJ Tony Touch, most definitely a banger! For the second Interlude, I just split it from then end of "Bare Witness" & made its own track. Choclair just let`s the listeners know that he likes to party & have a good time just as much as the next kat...


"Jambone" is another party~vibed track for the ladies produced by Kardinal Offishall that also features Ro Ro Dolla. Fellow Circle member Solitair steps up to produce the next joint "Fresh". On here Choclair does what he does best, talks that shit!....LoL, straight braggadocios type flows here. After that Kardinal Offishall stops in & drops a quick P.S.A. for the ladies. Speakin` of ladies, Jully Black shows up & gives Choclair a hand on "Rollin`" a joint produced by former Main Source DJ K-Cut. Jay-Z`s protege Memphis Bleek makes a guest appearance on the Solitair produced "Young Gunz", it`s nothing spectacular but it`s far from wack. "Runnin` Wid Us" has Choclair flowin` over a beat produced by Kardinal Offishall who also lends a nice verse to the song. The previously released as a white label single "Flagrant" follows the Kardinal collabo` & as mentioned before it`s produced by Saukrates. In my opinion this track is the best on the album, definitely one to BuMP...


The third Interlude was just split from the end of "Flagrant" & made its own track. On "Die Hard", a solid West & East Coast collabo` Choclair reconnects with the Rascalz over a track produced by Solitair with Saukrates on the hook. "S.O.T." is another Circle collabo` with Choclair sharing the mic with Kardinal Offishall & Solitair, while the beat itself was produced by Solitair. The fourth Interlude was split from the end of "S.O.T." & made into its own track. K-Cut provides the bouncy backdrop for "Da Chiznock". Choclair decides to put the partying on pause long enough to drop an iLL storytelling track produced by Frankenstein a.k.a. Frank Fallico on "Situation 9". It`s a great song warning folks about what they`ll get caught up in if they don`t pay attention to who & what surrounds them. "Rollin` [Radio]" is pretty much the same as the previous version of the track on the album, it just has a shorter intro...


Now for the joints that I added to this version; I added them to improve the listener`s experience trust me! "Suave Dirt Dogs" features the late, great & always entertaining Ol` Dirty Bastard as well as fellow Canuck Saukrates. It was originally intended to be included on the retail release of "Ice Cold", but for whatever the reason.....it was more likely label politics that prevented it from happening. It was eventually released in 2000 however as a white label single, so I just decided to add it to the album like it was initially intended to be. "First Thing" is a collabo` with Rahzel that is only featured on the US release of "Ice Cold" for some reason. So there you have it y`all, an enhanced version of the album. Go `head & check out the music for ya`self & enjoy...




Choclair - Ice Cold [HeRBaN DeLuXe VeRSioN]
Label: Virgin Music
Released:1999-2012



1. Intro {ft. Manal ''Prima'' Hajj}
2. Ice Cold {ft. Ro Ro Dolla, Saukrates & Solitair}
3. Let`s Ride {ft. Saukrates}
4. Interlude #1
5. Rubbin` {ft. Saukrates}
6. Takin` It In {ft. Giz & Saukrates}
7. Bare Witness {ft. YLook & Guru of Gang Starr}
8. Interlude #2
9. Jambone {ft. Ro Ro Dolla}
10. Fresh {ft. Solitair}
11. Kardi`s P.S.A. {ft. Kardinal Offishall}
12. Rollin` {ft. Jully Black}
13. Young Gunz {ft. Memphis Bleek}
14. Runnin` Wid Us {ft. Kardinal Offishall}
15. Flagrant {ft. Saukrates}
16. Interlude #3
17. Die Hard {ft. Rascalz & Saukrates}
18. S.O.T. {ft. Kardinal Offishall & Solitair}
19. Interlude #4
20. Da Chiznock
21. Situation 9
22. Rollin` [Radio] {ft. Jully Black}
23. Suave Dirt Dogs {ft. Ol` Dirty Bastard & Saukrates}


*Bonus Joint: First Thing {ft. Rahzel}

BaCK~uP LiNK...




 

 R.i.P. Guru & Ol` Dirty Bastard...