Hip Hop 317 Items

Moka’s illustrious career has featured hundreds of releases over 30 years of
recording music. After conquering the underground, in 2005 he made his major
label release, The Desired Effect (also released in Japan as Dirty Jazz). The CD
featured a plethora of collabs including 2 legends: J DILLA and MF DOOM!
Available for the first time ever on vinyl, FNJ-022 is a packed release with the
SixToo produced “More Soup” featuring MF DOOM and a special Instrumental
re-make by the super producers Potatohead People rounding out side A. The Bside features another Moka Only classic “Franks And Beans”, which was
previously only available on the Japanese only Dirty Jazz release.

The latest release from Ill Catz Records, this time around they are dropping a superb album from They Hidden Character who's one of the hottest up and coming artists out of MA.



The album has 8 tracks produced by the Vinyl Villain, 1 by Mr. Rose and 1 by Al.divino! Featuring Estee Nack, Code Nine, 2 guest verses by Al.divino and more!

SonnyJim has been on a beautiful run in 2021 and after his collaborations with Kev Brown and Buckwild he delivers yet another incredible offering teaming up with DJ Billy The Kid of UK hip-hop group Bushkiller. Ten bangers provided by one of the most prolific and interesting emcees in UK and Europe.

In this world there is the constant War between
Organized levels of Underground Economics &
the subsidized Laws of the Land.
Clever 1 Plays his Role as the Head of Resistance Against Police, Judicial/Prison Systems,
Federal Government and others. Clev Said F&%$ All of Them..
In this You Receive An Urban introduction to The Street Expendables utilizing the Old Fashion Methodology of Robbing the Rich & Feeding The Poor..
In his latest album Clever 1 isn't wasting a moment of breath while taking any and everything for his perseverance and enduring survival. Some folks come to the party dressed to the nines.....Clever 1 shows up with the nine's and stays dipped in Kevlar Ski Jacketz..

Nems returns with Congo, his third full-length album and first solo album since releasing Gorilla Monsoon in 2019. The one and only “Mayor of Coney Island” does not disappoint on Congo, spitting his battle tested and witty bars throughout the album. As usual, Nems likes to do the heavy lifting himself, keeping the guest appearances and producers to a minimum on Congo. But fans of Nems will be happy to see that Congo features frequent Nems collaborators UFO Fev and Ill Bill, along with production from Vinny Idol on “Bing Bong”, which has taken the internet by storm and is now the informal theme song of New York City and the Knicks. Initially released on all digital platforms on August 20, 2021, the wait for Congo in vinyl format is over. F*ck Your Life!

The first AE Productions release of 2022 comes in the form of a 7” by J & Mo – otherwise known as J Man (of Cut Beetlez) and DJ Mo Money. Finnish DJ/producer duo who are in the midst of creating an album. To pre-empt the album release this lead off 7” serves as a taster of what is to come - a mix of well-crafted vocal and instrumental Hip Hop tracks with some great guest MC’s.

The main cut here ‘Rhymes Be Bomb’ features Emcee G Roc Gayle (of The Vibe Drops/Piece Of Mind), and is a perfect example of a track that works on 45 for DJ’s with a nice bouncing groove, excellent turntable work and good vocals that are clean so great for radio play.

The flipside ‘Pelottaa’ (Finnish for frightened) is exclusive to this 7” but is an indication of the flavour of the instrumental tracks that appear on the album and features J Man’s fellow Cut Beetle HP Lovescratch on the vanishingly rare vinyl appearance of human beatbox.

Sleeve design and direction by Mr Krum references a vintage board game with superb results by replacing the bombs with microphones which takes the theme of musical bombs and applies the same metaphor to the artwork.

High Focus Records are proud to present the latest collaboration from Verb T and Illinformed.

Stranded in Foggy Times both continues and completes the trilogy that began back in 2015, with The Man with the Foggy Eyes, before broadening the horizons with last year’s release of The Land of the Foggy Skies. This final chapter returns to the same conceptual landscape as its predecessors, but also sees Verb T and Illinformed returning to a more classic approach to album making.

In spite of its concept, the Foggy Trilogy is something of a personal outpouring for Verb T, with the original aim being to vicariously discuss the trials and tribulations that play a part in his life, including his struggles with chronic illness and the feeling of alienation from leaving his hometown, while also reflecting on the state of the world as a whole.

As with the previous albums, Stranded in Foggy Times finds Illinformed moving away from the more rugged sound that has shrouded the British scene over the last few months, thanks to his collaborations with the likes of Datkid and Wish Master, instead providing Verb T with an arguably more mellow backdrop. From the string and piano driven introduction on Legacy, to the blissful head-nod vibes of the closing track, Blind Faith, the union between beats and rhymes sits at the perfect level.

The album also boasts one of the most impressive guestlists of the year, one that is very much a product of both players’ worlds. Thanks to Illinformed’s Bristol connection, there are features from the likes of Res One, Datkid, Leaf Dog, Smellington Piff and Chillman, as well as some locally sourced cuts from DJ Rogue. While on Verb T’s side of the fence, we have features from Rye Shabby and Moreone, along with a collaboration that reignites the same creative spark he found in his early days, as King Kashmere steps into the booth on Feeling Strange.

All in all, Stranded in Foggy Times does exactly what it sets out to do, by drawing the trilogy to a close while also providing insights into Verb T’s personal world and the world at large. The fact that it also happens to be one of the strongest rap albums of the year is the icing on the cake.

Limited edition of 100 copies

The enigmatic LordBeatjitzu returns with a new LP. This time touching on a whole new chamber in his vast archive. This latest chapter is LordBeatjitzu presents a deep dive lounging on a tropical isle. A night with Phyllis Dilla at the Congo Bongo Casinos resort and spa. Completely switching up the style from his previous Bruce Li and Mazinga personas he delves into another world with his stripped down and dusty loops. Where as in previous projects his sound may have given off the thump of a Saturday afternoon Kung Fu flick, this one has the listener transported to a lounge act with a stand up comedian emceeing the festivities. Styles upon styles upon styles are still getting flipped but with a more casual edge.

Eight years have gone by since Crown of Grim Reaperz blessed us with a new offering.

Since "Pieces To Puzzle" dropped way back in 2014, Crown has been chipping away at an array of production credits, all whilst recruiting Bask One of Beneath The Underground to release this 17 joint mammoth LP entitled Underground Crown.

Curated and executed by Bask One over an 18 month period, both Crown and Bask bring forth a well rounded line up of old and new school boombap lyricists from the East & Westcoasts, with over 50+ emcees flexing their lyricism over Crowns heavy, yet eclectic raw boombap beats.

Underground Crown clocks over 70+ minutes, with features from heavyweights: Tragedy Khadafi, Chris Rivers, Jay Royale, Rigz, Mooch, MAV & Rob Gates of Da Cloth, iLL Conscious, Da Buze Bruvaz, Mad Squablz, Shabaam Sahdeeq, DV Alias Khryst, Born Unique, UG, Ruste Juxx to name just a few.

They also have summoned some of the illest cut masters to complete the whole picture, including Snowgoons DJ Crypt, DJ TMB, DJ Robert Smith, DJ Venum, DJ Grazzhoppa plus many more.

This "blood splatter" vinyl record is primarily a tool for turntablists and beatmakers who love horror movies. It clearly refers to the Scream saga of the 90s. Side A (aka the blood side) is composed of 12 skipless loops at 133 bpm. You will find screams of terror, sound effects and other voices from the film. The B side (called the ghost side) is a sound bank (also at 133 bpm) with orchestral music, brass, distressing violin, dark piano, choirs, voices, sounds & effects. As a bonus: a download card with the contents of the disc but also 10 instrumentals composed by Kooltrasher, Mister Modo, Ugly Mac Beer, Dj Troubl' and A_n_d_b_n_d. a 60x30 poster 2 x Stickers Limited to 500 hand numbered copies.

Following last year's collaboration with Boldy James on "Real Bad Boldy", LA producer and watch slinger Real Bad Man is back with the 4th instalment of his On High Alert series! On this new chapter he recruits an incredible line-up of rappers, featuring The Alchemist, Cappadonna, Evidence, Marlon Craft, M.A.V., Maxo, Meyhem Lauren, Mooch, Rigz, Roc Marciano, Rome Streetz, Sachill Pages, Sauce Heist, Stove God Cooks and Willie The Kid.

Few leftovers of the black "Bush Babees - Ambushed" logo tee bundled with the regular 2LP edition that comes with printed innersleeves instead of gatefold and without the 7".

"Ambushed" contains instant classics like "We Run Things" or "Remember We" and features productions by the likes of Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest, Salaam Remi, Jermaine Dupri and others.

The trio consisting of Kaos, Y-Tee and Mr. Man grew up in the West Indies, so reggae had a strong influence on their music. Formed in 1992, the Brooklyn representatives dropped their debut in 1994 followed by the sophomore album "Gravity" in 1996 with the help from a number of Native Tongue members including Q-Tip and The Ummah, Pos of De La Soul, Rahzel of The Roots as well as a young Mos Def.

Once again HIM LO DA INAPPROPRIATE of DA BUZE BRUVAZ returns with his 7th solo release which is also his 4th collaboration project with the high exalted production wizard GIALLO POINT. HIM LO and GIALLO are collectively known as the
"COGNAC KINGZ"
Their newest masterpiece is entitled:
"CUBANZ N COGNAC"
It's laced with 13 brand new bangers crafted from pure fire and brimstone. Features are limited to his Buze Bruva CLEVER ONE and the super sharp rawness of the NO RULES CLAN straight outta COLOMBIA.The COGNAC KINGZ are a powerful blend of gritty, electrifying, veteran rhyming mixed with devastating, earth shattering beats. The heat they provide feels like it's all emanating straight from a mudpit located in a dungeon on the southside of hell. Mark your calendars, light your cigarz, sip the cognac and prepare your ears for another classic..from the Kingz!

A lot of people don't realize that Freddie has actually been in the game for over a decade and came in on the same Freshman XXL cover as Meek Mill, Nipsey Hussle etc. Yet he was the only one with no major label backing or artist affiliation and his partnership with warner is his very first solo major label deal. With that being said, he feels as if he has made it thus far in his career without compromising his morals, creative integrity and principals as a man all while resisting temptations... hence the title $oul $old $eparately or $$$

Crashing into 2022, Chaos Black sees IMS once again bring their trademark ‘Dring’ sound - a perfect backdrop of raw beats, bleak keys and dirty bass lines for Tenchoo’s notorious and vicious vocal delivery.

Dawuna follows that insane ‘Glass Lit Dream’ album with a stunning 3-track whitelabel, burning thru R&B's resinous ash with lilting, minimal production and a neo-soul glow. Some of the best music we’ve heard this year - of any description - essential if yr into anything from Prince/Camille to Coby Sey/Tirzah x Nearly God x D’angelo

The opening moments of 'white boy' define the whole of "EP 1": a pitched-up sample of Black Panthers chanting "no more pigs in our community" looped into an unimpeachable demand. Skip past it at your peril, it's a historical remnant from the tail end of the US civil rights movement that grounds Dawuna's music in tangible real-world politics at a time when police are still unremittingly exterminating unarmed black men across the USA and beyond. Close to a minute later, a brittle pinprick rhythm rattles beneath Dawuna's unmistakable croon and a low, growling bassline, with the lightest, most evocative drones as accompaniment.

Lead track 'baby boy' is even stronger, matching a svelte, dismantled trip-hop shuffle with one of Dawuna's craziest vocal performances to date. It's impossible not to fantasise about Prince on this one - the layered, panning vocal transposed and deployed in multiples, like Bob George and a Camille production merged into one of the most immersive pieces of soul music you’ll likely ever hear. Dawuna's vulnerability transports the sound into 2022, offering a level of melancholy that feels funereal, mourning the broken promises of the past.

The sentiment carries into the heartbreaking finale 'yout done tried', a deliriously lo-fi stepper that sounds like a ‘Baduizm’-era Erykah demo dubbed to overworn tape. Dawuna's vocal is pitched and distorted before being chipmunked for the chorus, crying over bone-dry acoustic drum bumps and gut-piercing sine wave warbles. It's a sensual lullaby for the modern age.

Levels.

Before the acclaimed albums "Legends Never Die" and "All My Heroes Are Dead" brought his career to new heights, R.A. The Rugged Man spent years as an underrated rap enigma, with a slew of storied records to his name that had never received a proper release. With the 2009 compilation "Legendary Classics Vol. 1, R.A. finally unleashed many of the lost gems that earned him a reputation as one of hip-hop's most feared lyricists, showcasing his undeniable history. An essential collection from a true hip-hop original, the album features appearances by The Notorious B.I.G., Havoc of Mobb Deep, Jedi Mind Tricks, Kool G Rap, J-Live, Hell Razah, Tragedy Khadafi, Akinyele, and Sadat X, along with track-by-track commentary from the Rugged Man himself. This "Legendary Classics Vol. 1" reissue also includes the new bonus track “The Greatest” featuring famed Italian singer Marcella Puppini, which has never before been available on vinyl.

The Field (later on known as the Killin' Field) were a duo out of Roxbury, Boston (also the home of Ed O.G.). They started out in the early 90's but didn't release their first release until 1996, the tape-only "Official Heavyweights" EP. In 1997 they dropped another tape-only release with "Big East Vol. 1" which is pretty impossible to find these days.



Out now on LP for the first time ever are those 1996-1997 sessions, limited to only 250 copies and fully remastered by Jee Van Cleef.

Return Of The Sp-1200 Volume 2 is available in an exclusive opaque red pressing Pete Rock is widely recognized as one of the greatest hip hop producers of all time. His name is oft included in the pantheon of the greatest, alongside DJ Premier, RZA and J Dilla. In addition, Pete has one of the worlds most extensive vinyl collections, the sort of collection whose size can only be estimated, and that estimate stands in excess of 100,000 LPs. In 2019 Rock launched his own imprint, Tru Soul Records, with Return Of The Sp-1200 Pete Rock goes back to his roots - the Sp-1200 and his vinyl with Return Of The Sp-1200 Volume 2.

V Don and Willie The Kid are back at it with the 3rd chapter of their "Deutsche Marks" saga, and just like with any of their prior releases they bring their offering to the next level. Throughout the years the two have masterfully crafted their own sound as a duo, with V Don showcasing some of the highest quality productions in the game right now and Willie The Kid seamless delivery perfectly riding along with it. DM3 featuring guest appearances by long time collaborator Eto as well as Rome Streetz, Ransom, Lord Apex and Abe Linx, and is set to be yet another classic in their catalog!

"Deutsche Marks 3" is also available on standard black vinyl, digipack CD and cassette.

After teaming up with Boldy James to release Real Bad Boldy (2021) and Killing Nothing (2022) and linking up with rising star Pink Siifu for Real Bad Flights (2022), Real Bad Man returns to announce his fi rst collaborative album of the year with Serpent . Serpent brings Real Bad Man together with the inimitable Kool Keith and is produced in its entirety by Real Bad Man. Serpent features appearances from Slug of Atmosphere, Ice-T, Edan, Cool Calm Pete and Zeelooperz. “My rhymes go where the tracks take me and Serpent took me on a journey through time and space. I channeled Ultra, Ocatgon, Rhythm X, and Black Elvis to make something new and mind-blowing” Kool Keith declares. When the Serpent bites, don’t try to understand it; just enjoy the injection. The sound dynamic crystals mix so proper, my vocals and guest appearances are set in the right spots. “My goal for this album is to capture my favorite parts from Keith’s catalog. I wanted to make beats that got into his (Keith’s) subconscious” Real Bad Man maintains. “I think it worked.”