US Hip Hop Preorder 186 Items

Wow - years before the first Pseudo's release, we have this spectacular album [or is it an EP?] by the boys from Buffalo, NY. Recorded 2001-2003 this is 100%, pure Pseudo-sound from the early days. Sunday vibes, piano loops, smart-ass/tuned-in lyrics - this one has everything for the headz . Never been released or leaked before, this was set to be on Buffalo label Deepthinka Recs, but it never happened. So Herring is here, over 20 years later, to sponge up that Pseudo-juice and wring the sweet nectar into a black piece of limited vinyl, adorned in the typical Herring 'unreleased-style' sticker cover. If you are a Pseudohead this one will seamlessly join the dots from 2001 until now. Perfection on wax. Enjoy!!!

Coalmine Records, in partnership with Duck Down Music, is excited to announce the upcoming release of the deluxe edition of Sean Price & Small Professor’s collaborative classic, 86 Witness.

Released as a limited edition gatefold 2xlp with both the main and instrumental versions, the album boasts several packaging accoutrements that involve an artwork overhaul designed with metallic inks.

For those unfamiliar with 86 Witness, the album is a testament to both Hip-Hop's Golden Era and the unbelievable talents of Sean Price, one of the genre's biggest and best voices who was taken from us far, far too soon. His hilarious, tack-sharp rhymes are complemented by the imaginative and dusty production of Small Pro, who may just be rap's best kept secret.

Like his previous projects, 86 Witness is brimming with classic lines and lyrical barbs from P. What's different here, however, is the depth of his references in addition to his incredible chemistry with Small Pro. From the verses to the beats, they have provided so many musical Easter eggs that each listen tips off something you've yet to discover. And that's not even mentioning the ambitious lineup of guests featuring Your Old Droog, Guilty Simpson, Rockness Monsta, Elucid, Castel, Reef the Lost Cauze, Curly Castro, Zilla Rocca, and more.

Jus-P is back on the scene with this new release Black Menace To Society soon to be a Hip Hop classic! Jus-P has enlisted a group of elite Emcees and Producers for this piece of art! Features include El Da Sensei, Da Beatminerz, Reks, Ruste Juxx,and more. The Queens New York Native delivers clever wordplay and punchlines with his melodic flow over Boom Bap production. This album is for the listener who can appreciate that Golden Age Hip Hop sound!

Chicago hip-hop outfit Angry Blackmen made up of Quentin Branch & Brian Warren (abm) have been stretching their arms and tapping into different sounds since they smashed onto the scene with their debut single “OK!” in 2017. A prime introduction starring two emcees showing they deserve to wield the microphone and do so with good cause. Then barely a month later ABM released sophomore single ‘Riot!’ a complete shift in sound that still housed the foundation set in ‘OK!’ A few years later the duo would drop their debut project ‘Talkshit!’ which saw them amass the following they have today. ‘The Legend of Abm’ immediately smacks the listener in the eardrum leaving no second wasted and jumping straight to the point. The 11-track adventure truly presents an expression of hip-hop that we haven’t seen before, infusing multiple sounds with the 50-year old genre. To go even deeper, Quentin Branch & Brian Warren are teaching a masterclass in top-notch poetic lyricism, creating both accessible and mind-bending music. “Stanley Kubrick” has both heroes shattering the beat with their braggadocio for what is just the appetizer to prepare the listener for what’s to come in the next ten tracks. ‘Sabotage’ tells the story of two Black men hustling through the trenches of capitalism and the effect that this journey has on them. While the album exudes catchy wordplay and spine-splitting production, if you lift up the hood, ABM is spinning a tale of depression, existentialism and self-reflection that isn’t always pretty. “Dead Men Tell No Lies” is another mutation in sound for the duo, where the industrial sounds clash, violently yet perfectly together with a blistering hook harkening to the end of time. Warren & Branch’s raw poetry educates the listener of the pre-apocalyptic world we’re already living in throughout this project. ‘The Legend of Abm’ is not an excursion for the weak, the production is meant to snap your spine in half, the lyrics from Quentin & Brian are pathos infused and relatable to anyone simply trying to survive.

Prepare to embark on a sonic odyssey as Crimeapple and Preservation unveil the inaugural chapter of their groundbreaking trilogy with "EL León”. The album's title, a nod to the undisputed king of the jungle, serves as a metaphorical beacon for the unyielding hunger that the lyrical predator has always shown. On this audio hunting expedition, Crimeapple, the lyrical monarch, roars with an intensity that mirrors the lion's ferocity over a wild musical tapestry provided by Preservation, with each track being a testament to the insatiable appetite and predatory instincts needed to navigate the wilderness of today’s music industry, a game that both artists have never bowed down to but always dominated from the outside in. Crimeapple has always proven to be a leader of the pride, with the non-stop grind he’s been putting into his Manteca imprint and with legendary collaborations with producers such as DJ Muggs and DJ Skizz carving his name as one of the prominent stars in the game today. On the production side, Preservation’s musical journey, whether with long-time collaborator Yasiin Bey (fka Mos Def), or as one half of Dr. Yen Lo with Brooklyn emcee Ka, or through legendary collaborations with the likes of billy woods, MF Doom, Roc Marci, RZA, Sean Price, Raekwon and countless others, have made him an iconic name in musical alchemy. As the trilogy begins, "EL León" stands as the beginning of a new hunting season for the two, where Crimeapple and Preservation are sure to transcend boundaries and reign supreme.

Often recognized as one of the most consistent and prolificduos in independent hip-hop, Atmosphere hit a stride ofextraordinary output from July 2007 to April 2008, even by theirown standards. Within those 9 months, they released afull-length album, four EP's, and a 42-minute mixtape ofexclusive material, altogether totaling 48 new songs released, allwhile they were consistently touring as well. This rapid-fire stringof releases introduced some of their most popular songs to dateand showcased their dynamic range, from moody and reflective,to upbeat and optimistic, to a boom-bap throwback style of rap,the latter of which was most prominently displayed on themixtape. Introduced on Christmas Day 2007, the mixtape was a"gift" to fans in the form of a free download, aptly titled StrictlyLeakage - a nod to both eschewing standardized industrypractices in favor of giving the music away, and to anotherprominent album title from the era that inspired them andperhaps more specifically, these recordings.Strictly Leakage surprised fans and critics alike, not justbecause the download invite appeared in their inbox withoutwarning, but also because the project sounded so uniquelydifferent from Atmosphere's typical recordings. Ant was diggingdeep into the funk & soul crates, favoring samples over liveinstrumentation, and producing tracks that sounded as if theywere birthed alongside late '80s and early '90s hip-hop classics.Slug was rapping with a renewed passion, yet somehowsounding more casual and carefree delivering endless wordplaywith more technical rhyme patterns than other Atmosphereprojects. Together, they created 13 exclusive songs that soundedas if they were just having fun making them, without thepressure of any album expectations - undoubtedly as rewardingan exercise for themselves as it was for the listeners.Early on, Strictly Leakage had been pressed on a limited run ofvinyl and CD, but it wasn't long before they sold out, and fanswere left chasin...

Joell Ortiz & Kxng Crooked met the year they both won XXL's coveted Freshmen of the Year Award. The two's careers are as legendary as any in the rap game. Joell Ortiz started by signing to Dr. Dre's Aftermath label, then moving to Shady records as part of the Super group Slaughterhouse with Joe Budden, Royce Da 5'9 and Kxng Crooked. Add to that a fresh feature on Eminem's newest album "Music To Be Murdered By." Meanwhile, Kxng Crooked was signed to Virgin Records at just 17 before joining Death Row Records. He's had a flourishing solo career including collaborations along the way with TechN9ne, 2Pac, Benny The Butcher, Raekwon, Akon, Ray J and more. The West Coast LBC representer Kxng Crooked and Brooklyn's Joell Ortiz have finally come together for the the joint project "H.A.R.D." on Mello Music Group. Album produced by Heatmakerz, Erick Sermon, Boogeyman, Illmind, Apollo Brown, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League This special edition vinyl features the 24 for '24 Artist Series painting by KipDaFog.

New York City rapper/producer duo Double A.B. and Dub Sonata bring to you their joint album Media Shower, presented on vinyl for the first time courtesy of Man Bites Dog Records. The special edition 2xLP includes five brand new Alternate Media remixes on Side-D from Bronze Nazareth, Blockhead, Kount Fif, Maitre’ D & Opto. Media Shower features A.B.’s vivid storytelling alongside guest appearances from Evidence, Roc Marciano, Sean Price, Scram Jones, Rhymefest and Cannibal Ox, over Dub Sonata’s production laden with live instrumentation over deftly chopped samples. A veteran of the New York underground circuit, Double A.B. got his start in the Blaze Battle, eventually making records and touring the world with Cannibal Ox, Gza and Elzhi, while Dub Sonata’s production credits include songs for Sage Francis, Rhymefest, Guilty Simpson, and Jidenna.

Always Give Everything 111% . . . MF Khaos releases his 11 track playa soundtrack, including production from Professor Creepshow, Funk Finger, Tracisgrey

Now available on 12" Vinyl Records, Cassette Tape, Compact Disc

vinyl record includes exclusive instrumental version on side B, instrumentals will not be seen in any daylight of digital streaming media

Deluxe double vinyl edition of "The Toronto Tape" by Bozack Morris on Iceberg vinyl. Includes second black vinyl disc with bonus tracks.

Always Give Everything 111% . . . MF Khaos releases his 11 track playa soundtrack, including production from Professor Creepshow, Funk Finger, Tracisgrey

Now available on 12" Vinyl Records, Cassette Tape, Compact Disc

vinyl record includes exclusive instrumental version on side B, instrumentals will not be seen in any daylight of digital streaming media

saiah Deshon & Professor Creepshow team up to extend the Mac God's prophecy. Tymg

Mac God Chronicles is now available on digital streaming, vinyl records, cassette tapes & compact discs

vinyl record includes exclusive instrumental version on side B, instrumentals will not be seen in any daylight of digital streaming media

"ME Stations That Swing With Soulful Things" Introducing "W.EN.D Radio," the latest musical masterpiece from the dynamic duo Frank N Dank.Drawing inspiration from their earlier collaboration with the legendary I Dilla on the fictional radio show of the same name, this album is a nostalgic journey for longtime FND enthusiasts.Crafted entirely by the skillful Japanese beatsmith, Mitsu The Beats, the album boasts a stellar lineup of collaborators, including Dj Rhettmatic of the renowned Beatjunkies, soulful British vocalist Harleigh Blu, versatile MC/Singer illa J (J Dilla's brother), and Gram-my-nominated producer/musician King Michael Coy (known for his work with Anderson Paak, H.E.R), among others."W.EN.D Radio" stands as a contemporary homage to the infectious boom bap sound of hip-hop's golden era. Each track is a fusion of rhythmic beats and meaningful narratives, delivering a sonic experience that traverses the spectrum of emotions within a captivating and head-nodding package. This album is poised to captivate J dilla fans with its blend of nostalgia, innovation, and the undeniable skill of its collaborators.

Marv Won is a Detroit musical alchemist – a street poet laureate entrenched in the battle rap scene, as well as a cinematic world class producer as capable of channeling Dr. Dre as Donald Goines. Marv breaks new ground with his first Mello Music Group album “I’m Fine, Thanks For Asking” - a soul-baring endeavor, that weaves tales of struggle and triumph, drawing inspiration from his storied life in the Motor City.

As one of the most esteemed battle rappers, Marv Won brings a lyrical ferocity to his unapologetically raw and heartfelt rhymes. This album collaboration with Mello Music Group marks a pivotal moment in his career, showcasing a seamless fusion of his word play and production. The album, featuring collaborations with Quelle Chris, Elzhi, Freeway, Rapper Big Pooh of Little Brother and more, cements Marv Won's status in the rap game. Marv Won's storytelling transcends mere verses, painting vivid portraits of life in the D. Over ten self-produced tracks Marv showcases his ability behind the boards with tracks that blend epic orchestration and Joe Louis drums that hit like Tommy Hearns.

Deluxe double vinyl edition of "The Toronto Tape" by Bozack Morris on Iceberg vinyl. Includes second black vinyl disc with bonus tracks.

Standard black vinyl edition of "The Toronto Tape" by Bozack Morris, featuring the illest emcees from Toronto.

Deluxe CD edition of "The Toronto Tape" by Bozack Morris housed in jewel cases with Japanese spine wrap obi strips. Featuring the illest emcees from Toronto. Includes 3 bonus tracks not included in the standard edition CD.

Mafia Musik is the fourth studio album from mercurial Los Angeles rapper, D. Savage. Initially breaking out in the SoundCloud rap scene in 2016 with the track, “30 Round Clip,” D. Savage has blossomed from underground icon to full-fledged star, with Mafia Musik serving as his magnum opus. At 13 tracks, D. Savage relentlessly keeps his foot on the gas for the entire duration of the album, with scorching hits such as “Kome On,” “Dirty Dan,” & “joker, Pt. 2.” One of the leading artists in the plugg sub-genre, his delivery and style is melodic and airy, yet far from soft. It’s clear the future is bright for D. Savage, and Mafia Musik serves as a great foundation for what is to come for him.

saiah Deshon & Professor Creepshow team up to extend the Mac God's prophecy. Tymg

Mac God Chronicles is now available on digital streaming, vinyl records, cassette tapes & compact discs

vinyl record includes exclusive instrumental version on side B, instrumentals will not be seen in any daylight of digital streaming media

Here's the good word from the fellas:



"Stereotype came together as a group in 2008. Made up of Producer/Emcee Frank John James, Mas1 and Braiiinstorm. Sophomore project, "Through the Speaker", is being presented over a decade later from their initial group LP "Instincts of Organisms" released on Echoes Of Oratory in 2013. After many solo and side projects amongst the 3 of them, they've come together with the help of co-producer Stranger Danger and completed another boom bap classic for the heads to bump. Woven together with samples and cuts from Roach the DJ, each member delivers original lyrics and critical views. Enjoy."



And here's the good word from Herring:



"Stunning album with breaks and drums for miles. Real bboy flava on the production, reminiscent of Strng3r Dang3r's earlier materual on the Herring-released "Tha Roach Killaz" record, but with an extra scoop of the jazz. All round a killer record and perfect for a drop on Herring. Had this on constant rotation in the Herring-mobile., now pleased I can share with the fisherfolk."

Hypersonic is the interstellar meeting of like-minded funky people. A conceptual album puzzled together by the creativity of BluRum13's introspective yet cadence-driven rhymes and Inkswel's forward-thinking yet reminiscent boom bap production. The two originally met back in 2007 at a One Self gig in Adelaide at the now defunct Crown & Sceptre Venue, a young Inkswel was captivated by the dope beats and rhymes and funnily stayed around after the show to enjoy cake and chai tea a fan had made lovingly for the One Self crew. Years later Blu and Inks reconnected over admiration of each other's music and work ethic and dropped a small EP, with talks for years later to build more - Hypersonic is that present destination. The album blasts off with a classic inspired hip-hop scratch introduction, featuring international turntablist DMC champion-legend DJ Woody waxing on the 1's and 2's manipulating the listening instructions for the aural journey ahead. The title track, Hypersonic sparks interest with ear-grabbing drum roll and brass hits bringing attention to Blu's opening bar, "My mind state to rhyme great" Enlisting rising Folk-Soul singer Georgia Oatley for the luscious chorus and call and response gives us a good grasp of the album's tone, as we cruise its universe. 'Can U' drops next, as a clever ode to A tribe called Quest, you can feel the pull of planet Native Tongue as you fall into the gravity of the tracks feel good, jazzy, nature. The track is rounded off masterfully with DJ Woody's refined and experimental pitch-based scratching. A few guest stars drop science throughout the album but it flows back to solo adventures, not relying on these stellar collaborations - With an emotional note to self on Rum13, funky moments on 'Set It Out' and 'Hustle' and deep thinking cuts like 'Love To The People' & 'Yes'. The album is closed out with an ode to NYC Hip Hop graffiti legend Fab 5 Freddy 'Collect All Coins'- Blu's most lyrically fierce moment on the record brings us home with the same enthusiasm and sense of adventure as when we left.

Legendary Boston MC/Producer M-Dot, returns yet again with another monumental ALBUM…. “Daze Of Greed.” In the current microwave times, with weekly project drops and 3 song EP releases, the Boston stalwart maintains a classic blueprint of delivering a genuine tour de force ALBUM! ‘Daze Of Greed’ (14 tracks), the 4th official solo album from M-Dot (3rd in as many years) enters a morbid world consumed by monetary gain.

The project has an undertone of affliction but what emboldens the content though is the MC’s vulnerability layered throughout the work. Along for the ride is a murderer's row of company with production by M-Phazes (Eminem, Demi Lovato), Vinny Idol (D-BLOCK), 88 Keys (Kanye West), Apollo Brown, MIGHTY V.I.C. (Big Pun, Mobb Deep) etc. and also features appearances by friends Big Shug (Gang Starr Foundation), Estee Nack (Griselda), Grand Puba (Brand Nubian), Ty Farris & M-Dot’s EMS crew. Buckle up…and enjoy the ride!

Dan-e-o’s hard-hitting 6th solo album “Vigilante” is equal parts lyricism clinic and seething social commentary. From the graphic novel album cover to the unapologetic lyrical content, “Vigilante” harshly critiques social media misuse, gun violence, anti-black racism, self-hatred, jealousy and self-doubt. Inspired by both the “Dexter” and “Death Note” series, Dan-e-o’s new album title represents his commitment to “kill” all of the negativity mentioned above. Well-known for his classic debut 1996 single, “Dear Hip Hop”, Dan-e-o is every bit as punchline-heavy as you would expect on “Vigilante”. The album is also the veteran Toronto lyricist’s most provocative project to date. Taking zero bars lightly and sparing no feelings, Dan calls out such personalities as Kanye West, Donald Trump and Candace Owens while condemning Fox News, murderous police officers and the Ku Klux Klan. He even finds time to address a past toxic relationship while not missing a beat tearing into talentless rappers. The soundscape of “Vigilante” can best be described as “heavy neck-snapping boom bap”. The head-nodders are supplied by Toronto’s Big Sproxx (Freedom Writers) and frequent collaborator Charisma a.k.a. Skizzz (Monolith) as well as Japan’s S-ky THE Cookinjax. With an impressive list of featured guests including such legendary artists as Masta Ace, Saukrates and even comedy superstar, Russell Peters, Dan-e-o has created a recipe for hip-hop perfection. “These are the best 12 songs in the history of my catalogue,” insists Dan-e-o, “Period.”

Seafood Sam is a futuristic artifact. If that description might sound confusing at first, it matches the eclectic dualities found in true originals. With his effortless cool and timeless style, the North Long Beach native defies convention and exact comparison. He’s a virtuosic rapper, a stop-you-in-your tracks singer, and a symphonic producer. Welcome to the lavish life of a laid-back transcontinental man of mystery, rolling in old school Cadillacs, eating caviar with a blade in his pocket, and making plays in vintage Pelle Pelle gear. A blaxploitation icon for the Instagram age, blessed with the bars of a ‘90s legend and 23rd century swagger. Seafood Sam is a true hero of modernity. On his full-length album debut for up-and-coming label drink sum wtr (Kari Faux,Deem Spencer, Aja Monet) debut, Standing on Giant Shoulders, Sam splits the difference between Snoop Dogg and D’ Angelo, Curren$y and David Ruffin. The songs reveal a forward-thinking sensibility rooted in ancestral soul. He creates spiritual hymns for the streets that tap into universal ideals and irrepresible groove. In an era plagued by short-term thinking, his ambitions reveal a crate-digging depth of music history and a meticulous ear for detail. The giant shoulders in the album’s title refer to James Brown, Bobby Brown, and Miles Davis – the holy trinity who inspired Sam’s process. From the Godfather of Soul, Sam took a perfectionist’s rigor and focus. The example of Bobby Brown lent an unshakeable confidence and self-belief. While the constant artistic left turns of the trumpeter that birthed Cool offered an aspirational archetype. Standing on Giant Shoulders is the evidence of a master, a young sensei in the model of Quincy Jones. All rhymes, singing, production, and arrangements were handled by Sam – with an assist from his close Long Beach kinsman Tom Kendall from the group Soular System. It’s hard-edged and lyrical enough for disciples of Larry June and Roc Marciano, but orchestral and melodic enough for fans of Anderson .Paak and H.E.R.

Record Store Day 2020 Release.
Limitation: 1000 copies.

Just in time for Record Store Day 2020, Coalmine Records and Duck Down Music are happy to announce the 7’ release of "Latoya Jackson," the commanding, gritty posse cut first appearing on Sean Price & Small Professor's LP, 86 Witness. The A-side is the original version which features Quelle Chris with cuts from DJ Revolution, while the flip side features the “Back to the Old School Remix,” with a gracious guest verse from the luminary lyricist Masta Ace.

Adding to the record's allure for bonafide collectors and hip-hop fans alike, the artwork has been handled by Atlanta-based heavyweight FRKO (Action Bronson, Gucci Mane), who expertly reimagined the cover of Just-Ice's classic Back to the Old School (Fresh Records, 1986). With an aptitude for details, FRKO's vibrant visual take superimposes Masta Ace into the scene, drawing from the rap veteran's cover artwork for his 2004 album, A Long Hot Summer. The parallel merger of classic iconography and refined cultural references accents the 7" release with exemplary execution, giving new legs to a track that further personifies the coveted energy of its initial release as an exclusive Record Store Day drop, all while paying homage to the late legend Sean Price.

This collector’s edition 7-Inch of "Latoya Jackson" is pressed on striking bubble gum pink vinyl.

LA-based Japanese DJ/beatmaker Kapsoul, boasting over 20 years of career, announces the release of his first album "ascent"!

Known in Japan for his collaboration with Japanese rapper Senninso ("GaryPayton"), Kapsoul has garnered a reputation among hardcore hip-hop fans, and many have been eagerly anticipating this debut release. The album features a diverse lineup of artists, including NY rapper AA Rashid, a regular contributor to Westside Gunn's projects, LA underground favorite BLU, Declaime (Dudley Perkins) and Georgia Anne Muldrow, known for their releases on Stones Throw, and Kapsoul's own group Black HairImperial, among others. Additionally, instrumental tracks featuring jazz musicians with close ties to Kapsoul are also included, resulting in a project with musicality that transcends the boundaries of hip-hop.

Renowned Berlin-based music discovery platform ColorsxSTUDIOS will release their new vinyl compilation album, ‘MOVE:FEEL1’, just in time for the holidays.

The limited-edition double disc gatefold vinyl will feature 16 beloved A Colors Show tracks, both recent and from the archive, including London-based rapper Kwengface’s ‘Freedom’ that was released earlier this year, critically-acclaimed Malian artist Fatoumata Diawara’s ‘Nterini’ from 2019, and Dominican-Italian star YEИDRY’s breakout 2020 hit ‘Nena’.

The album is truly international—it will feature songs sung in six different languages (including English, Swedish, German, Bambara, French, Vietnamese, and Spanish) and represent artists from 15 different countries across the world.

‘MOVE:FEEL1’ reflects and celebrates the launch of Colors’ new ‘move’ and ‘feel’ playlists that are now available across all DSPs. Updated monthly, these playlists will curate Colors’ genre fluid output into cohesive listening experiences that cater for varying emotional states.

The songs on the ‘move’ playlist—and hence on the ‘move’ sides of the vinyl—are uptempo, bold, sexy and energetic, and aim to set the tone for daring and unapologetic enjoyment. In contrast, the tracks on the ‘feel’ playlist and discs are downtempo and emotive. They are for relaxation, and to help listeners contemplate their internal and external environments

Designed by Colors’ in-house creative team, the vinyl cover is mirrored, meaning its appearance adapts depending on the light and colors it reflects. This was an important decision to ensure the cover represents all of the featured artists, who all performed their A Colors ShowS against different colored backdrops. The mirrored material also enables the audience to literally (and hopefully metaphorically) see themselves in the album.

Each side of the mirrored cover is adorned differently: while the “move” side features embossed lines, stripes and slashes indicative of motion, the more introverted “feel” side is debossed with goosebump-like grooves. Even with their eyes closed, people will be able to feel which side of the album is which, adding an extra sensory layer to the listening experience. MOVE:FEEL1’s design also prioritizes sustainability, using no single-use plastics for its packaging.

All Day is the fifth studio album by American musician Gregg Gillis, known by his stage name Girl Talk. The album was originally released as a free digital download by Illegal Art on November 15, 2010. Gillis composed the album using overlapping samples of 372 songs by other artists. All Day was released as one seamless 71-minute file and as 12 separate tracks, available in MP3 and Flac. As with prior Girl Talk albums, All Day was "intended to be listened to as a whole," but was "broken up into individual tracks only for easier navigation."

With I Will Make a Baby in this Damn Economy, Fat Tony embodies the kind of quixotic figure he would rap about; a singular entity who’s motivated, confident, and hungry; a perpetual-motion-machine locked in a staring contest with his country. It’s the latest album in his catalog produced entirely by L.A-based producer Taydex since 2020’s Wake Up. Later that same year Fat Tony released Exotica, and ever since he’s demonstrated he is in his own lane as a professional rapper with the mind of a magician, as quick to conjure an image as pull it out from under you, deftly manoeuvring through so many details and references a listener feels as if they have witnessed the work of an illusionist. He paints these canvases inside of songs that rarely spill past three minutes; they’re pocket-sized diaries replete with acute observations, character studies, microdoses of storytelling, and single-minded ruminations on a topic that bud, blossom, and fade before too long. Fat Tony & Taydex’s I Will Make a Baby in this Damn Economy cements Tony’s status as someone whose albums are not so much lyrically-lyrical as they are picaresque.

As with any Fat Tony project, the bars are tight as ever, but are so fluid for the 34-year-old it’s almost easy to take for granted the details, warmth, and humanity inside his free-associative tales of day-one friends who’ve passed, edgelord grifters who want to spit game, and nights on ketamine. Taydex’s production sprints through disparate yet simpatico styles, dipping its toes into Pi’erre Bourne-esque bass (see lead single “Spectacular”), house (“Loosen Up”), and even hyperpop. Meditations on loss and grief are woven throughout, but Tony throws a few curveballs as well: Consider “Alexis,” which sweetly reflects on a long-term platonic friendship. Taydex finds a Teddy Riley-indebted New Jack Swing groove just deep enough for the feeling to land and underlines the song’s sincere candor. This is the appeal of Fat Tony writ-large: his boisterous voice and genial personality invite you to the party, then you stick around to hear what he’s saying, which is frequently more introspective and complex than one assumes.

Written and recorded in Taydex’s new studio in North Hollywood, Tony says, “We had much more freedom and flexibility in making this album and you can hear it. It felt like a family project.” If the album is comfortable and loose, it is also dense and substantial. The album’s final two tracks contextualize the immediacy of what came before it—the mezcal with ices drank, Paul Wall swangin’ through to drop knowledge, the Polaris Prize-winning rapper Cadence Weapon providing a vibe check. “Make a Baby” accounts for Tony who’s seen everything, and knows he’s met the one to be a father with, and yet chooses to take his time to get it done. Taydex’s beat recalls turn-of-the-century R&B and the millennial promise of an endless good time. Sombre closer “Jasper, TX” is Tony coming to grips with the story of James Byrd, Jr., a Black man from East Texas dragged to his death by three white supremacists in 1998. These songs are not only trademarks of Tony’s fastidious rapping—they are deeply personal examples of his approach to artistry and life itself, where every decision is made in the shadow of history.

It’s here the mission statement of I Will Make a Baby in this Damn Economy comes into focus—you get the sense he means it, he’s ready for it, he’ll fight for it. He’s waiting to take the world at its word.

PRESSED ON BLUE & WHITE SWIRL VINYL!

HOUSED IN A HIGH GLOSS JACKET WITH EACH LP TUCKED INTO A PRINTED INNER SLEEVE
Nasir "Nas" Jones' 2001 record Stillmatic was considered a major comeback for the 90s rap icon. It signaled a return to the gritty, urban chaos of his acclaimed debut album, after releasing record after record of gradually more mainstream material, and Nas' return to prominence in the highest echelons of hip-hop. In spite of this newfound critical clout, Stillmatic's release did nothing to squash his then ongoing feud with fellow New Yorker Jay-Z, who had gone so far as to challenge Nas to a pay-per-view rap battle. A challenge Nas rejected, stating "If Jay-Z wants to battle, he should drop his album the same day I do and let the people decide."

Nas fans never would get the no-holds barred lyrical battle with Jay-Z many had speculated. What they got instead was one of Nas' most personal and introspective releases to date in 2002. Not long after Stillmatic's release, Nas spent much of his time away from the limelight to tend to his ill mother, who would pass on from breast cancer in 2002. His experiences with his mother's mortality as well as the fallout of his feud with Jay-Z, who continued to produce diss tracks as Nas tended to his mother, would inspire much of the lyrical material on his next record.

God's Son was released in December of 2002, and like Stillmatic before it, was subject to major critical acclaim. On God's Son, Nas effectively took the battle-hardened demeanor he had cultivated and tore it down across 14 tracks that were emotionally insular, though still dusted in urban grit, and still finding time to shoot back at Jay-Z's potshots on tracks like "Last Real Nigga Alive" and "Mastermind." Assisting Nas was a slew of top-tier producers like The Alchemist, Eminem, Ron Browz, and Salaam Remi, over samples of James Brown, the Incredible Bongo Band, Fela Kuti, and Beethoven, and guest vocals from Alicia Keys, Kelis, Claudette Ortiz of City High, and even a posthumous 2Pac.

God's Son has been out of print on vinyl since 2020. This deluxe pacakge was remastered from its original audio and pressed on colored vinyl!

DJ Quik is a giant of West Coast hip-hop. With his fourth album Rhythm-Al-Ism he created his masterpiece, a perfect hip-hop album. As Quik explains, “the name Rhythm-Al-Ism alone tells you what I was doing. I was mixing up rhythms. I was meshing R&B with hip-hop and jazz. And a little bit of comedy”. It’s absolutely sensational and as with a lot of mid-90s albums those original vinyl copies are now rare so here’s the Be With re-issue. A preternaturally gifted producer/rapper, DJ Quik has produced scores of LA gangsta rap classics. He’s released platinum and gold records of his own, as well as helped craft them for the likes of Tupac, Snoop Dogg, and Dr Dre. Quik has always been quirkier and more interesting than his gangsta rap peers, both musically and lyrically. An old-school funk producer at heart, he’s also incredibly nice on the mic. His raps often deal in boasts, jokes and good times but also cover his beefs, his trials and his trauma. Partying and pain, all mixed up. DJing and producing hype beat tapes from age 14, Quik’s tracks blended the languid funk and rubbery synths of Zapp and George Clinton with a gangsta aesthetic, creating a more danceable foil to Compton’s more typical nihilistic hedonism. Ultimately, his records sound custom engineered to drift out over sun-soaked barb

2021 double vinyl re-issue, 140g vinyl, includes “Pure Thought” bonus track from the original CD version, original picture sleeve and printed inner sleeves based on the original one. Innercity Griots, the second album from Freestyle Fellowship, is perhaps *the* essential West Coast left-field rap album of the early ’90s. Released in 1993 on 4th & Broadway, it’s a towering, progressive hip-hop masterpiece that expanded rap’s boundaries through lyrical elevation and production innovation. Their talent was ahead of everybody else by light years. This is pure b-boy jazz. The original single vinyl LP is now hideously scarce, and of course the sound suffers from not being officially released as a double. This Be With re-issue fixes both problems, and for completeness also includes “Pure Thought” from the CD version of the album. This incredible display of imaginative hip-hop sounds better than ever. Freestyle Fellowship were some of the earliest technically dazzling rappers to come out of California. Mikah 9, P.E.A.C.E., Aceyalone and Self Jupiter - along with DJ Kiilu - forged their famed lyrical dexterity in the ultra-competitive crucible of the Good Life Cafe. Founded in Leimert Park, South Central LA in December 1989, this earthy health-food store and cafe was where the city’s finest microphone fiends would gather to showcase their freestyle skills at the Thursday night open-mic.

Dan-e-o’s hard-hitting 6th solo album “Vigilante” is equal parts lyricism clinic and seething social commentary. From the graphic novel album cover to the unapologetic lyrical content, “Vigilante” harshly critiques social media misuse, gun violence, anti-black racism, self-hatred, jealousy and self-doubt. Inspired by both the “Dexter” and “Death Note” series, Dan-e-o’s new album title represents his commitment to “kill” all of the negativity mentioned above. Well-known for his classic debut 1996 single, “Dear Hip Hop”, Dan-e-o is every bit as punchline-heavy as you would expect on “Vigilante”. The album is also the veteran Toronto lyricist’s most provocative project to date. Taking zero bars lightly and sparing no feelings, Dan calls out such personalities as Kanye West, Donald Trump and Candace Owens while condemning Fox News, murderous police officers and the Ku Klux Klan. He even finds time to address a past toxic relationship while not missing a beat tearing into talentless rappers. The soundscape of “Vigilante” can best be described as “heavy neck-snapping boom bap”. The head-nodders are supplied by Toronto’s Big Sproxx (Freedom Writers) and frequent collaborator Charisma a.k.a. Skizzz (Monolith) as well as Japan’s S-ky THE Cookinjax. With an impressive list of featured guests including such legendary artists as Masta Ace, Saukrates and even comedy superstar, Russell Peters, Dan-e-o has created a recipe for hip-hop perfection. “These are the best 12 songs in the history of my catalogue,” insists Dan-e-o, “Period.”

Dope collabo between Texan MC $os' [pronounced Sos] and Long Island beatmaker Lars Viola. These 2 cats met online and have been working on joints together for a couple of years. Lars played me the demos and I was instantly on board, like the true

fisherman that I am.



$os', like many great artists before him, growing up as the son of a Preacher[man], learned to play [drums] as a kid at church. He only listened to gospel and Christian music as a kid, but once he was exposed to the realness, he definitely changed his tune! He had always written poetry, even as a young'un, so the transition to rhyming was fairly natural. Hope you cats enjoy this 7" 4 track EP entitled "Food For Yo' Soul". Check the snippets - Lars' beats are crrrrrazy nice on this one...

Sean Price (R.I.P!) teamed up with Small Professor for their 10-track project, ‘86 Witness.’ The album features Rock of Heltah Skeltah, scratches by DJ Revolution, Guilty Simpson, Your Old Droog, Reef the Lost Cauze & more. The CD also features a bonus Sean Price EP; a re-issue of his
project, Land of the Crooks, entirely produced by M-Phazes

Earthgang's Empire catalog piece, Strays with Rabies. Never before pressed on Vinyl, the album features Sheeda, Mereba, MO, Meegs, Dreamville labelmate J.I.D. Featuring the hit song "Missed Calls." Making it abundantly clear, they prove that Atlanta's sound doesn't live strictly in the strip clubs. WowGr8 and Johnny Venus take cues from early Outkast and Goodie Mob as they deliver an otherworldly sound that is occasionally trippy and made with the people in mind. The buzz for Earthgang has only increased recently, with the 2019 release of Mirrorland and the Dreamville compilation album, Revenge of the Dreamers 3, which they were heavily featured on.

Yung Bleu, also known as, Bleu Vandross, is a Hip-Hop/R&B artist from Mobile, Alabama. After scoring several major hits and racking up over 1 Billion streams and YouTube views early in his career with a series of smash love anthems, the multi-talented artist scored his first Billboard Hot 100 hit with “You’re Mines Still,” a joint single featuring Drake, which debuted at #52. It’s parent EP, Love Scars: The Five Stages of Emotions, likewise hit the Billboard 200 Chart. Following the success, Yung Bleu delivers his debut studio album, Moon Boy. Featuring hit songs such as “Baddest (feat. Chris Brown & 2 Chainz),” “You’re Mines Still (feat. Drake),” Beautiful Lies (feat. Kehlani),” & “Way More Close (Stuck In A Box) (feat. Big Sean),” the album also sees appearances from heavyweight artists such as H.E.R, John Legend, Kehlani, Kodak Black, Davido, Moneybagg Yo, Jeezy, Gunna & A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie. Pressed on Black vinyl with White Splatter.

With words as weapons and public infrastructure as his blank slate, John Fekner’s City Squad are always questing for the ineffable, even as they yearn for concrete change. Make no mistake, Idioblast is a serious party where everyone is welcome.

Released in 1984, Idioblast is a lost classic, a future shock narrative ahead of its time, and yet completely of its era, like few artifacts before or since. The cover tips you off from the jump—a crude but effective collage featuring classic Fekner slogans like Toxic Junkie, Growth Decay and Soft Brains Watch The Screen And Buy The Jeans. In an uncanny and tragic coincidence, the very first lyric on the album—“The place to be is on the space shuttle/if you’re brave enough to get on it”—seems to anticipate the Challenger disaster just two years later. But for the most part, the tracks on Idioblast directly reference the concepts that inspired Fekner’s visual art.

Musically, “Rapicasso” utilizes pneumatic pounding with an industrial edge as Fekner equates the great and controversial painter with risk-taking graffiti kids bombing trains and billboards across the city. Art is in a constant state of exploding—forms, paradigms, outdated ideas. Splitting the difference between hip-hop and new wave, the Santaniello-sung “The Beat” is like Thomas Dolby meets Run-DMC and should’ve been a radio staple for at least one sticky summer. It could soundtrack either a couples roller skate or a drug-fueled evening out.

Channeling Fekner’s slogan-stencil aesthetic, “Travelogue The 80’s” is a tour de force reminiscent of Negativland’s experiments in audio culture jamming. As Fekner details, “I grabbed all of the sounds via a shortwave radio picking up transmissions from LaGuardia airport and the TV. I recorded and edited on a Sony Pro Walkman and an Aiwa dual cassette deck.”

Enoch, long-time member of Cyne, is proud to release his solo LP, Waiting For Something To Happen. This long-gestating project was borne out of equal parts grief, confidence, fear, pride, anxiety, ambition, impatience, and the existential dread that comes with living in the modern age. Along for the ride are a veritable who’s who of underground hip-hop, including bonafide rap legends, underground icons, and future hall of famers.

But don’t mistake this for a hastily thrown together compilation. This is first and foremost a cohesive album, designed from the start to be listened to from beginning to end.

Never sacrifice the art for anything and never leave home without your respect. Southwest representer Cash Lansky hails from the deserts of Tucson, Arizona about 45 minutes from the Southern border. His story is one of family, trials, growth, and being forced into a role all too many young boys face - being the Man of the House at a young age. Wise beyond his years, Cash grew up quick. This record is the heartfelt result of being able to reflect on that life and bring forth the lessons and stories that make great art. A seasoned performer and respected member of the Arizona Hiphop scene and Southwest culture, Cash Lansky makes his indie label debut with Mello Music Group on this T-Wade and Mario Luciano produced album (Mario's credits include notable releases like Drake’s “8am in Charlotte”, Kendrick Lamar & Baby Keem’s “Savior” , J. Cole’s “Punchin’.the.clock”, Jack Harlow’s “Is That Ight?”, and H.E.R. & YG’s “Slide”). The new record is mixed by the legendary Willie Green. This is Rec-Center Rap straight from the heart of one the West's best.

Glockoma 2 is the third studio album from Memphis rapper Key Glock, and follow-up to the wildly successful mixtape, Glockoma. The deluxe physical release sees the addition of 8 new tracks, and includes 3 singles released shortly after the digital deluxe release. As we’ve grown accustomed to with Key Glock’s solo albums, Glockoma 2 features all material written and performed by Key Glock, and only Key Glock. Standout tracks from the album include “Work,” “Dirt,” “Chromosomes,” “Presidential Rolex,” & the explosive single, “Let’s Go,” which saw its own moment of virality upon its cinematic music video release and was recently Certified Gold by the RIAA.

Mickey O'Brien is excited to share his most musically ambitious, vivid, and honest record yet. For his second solo album, Shift Change (Hand'Solo Records), he evolves his sound and brings his most evocative and diverse pen game yet. To accomplish the former, O'Brien continues his symbiotic, creative relationship with Juno-nominated producer and live beat champion Fresh Kils and enlists live musicians to add exciting combinations, texture and their own unique imprint to the songs. To accomplish the latter, O'Brien takes us on a journey of self-transformation that goes from night to day and dark to light, enlisting the assistance of Premrock, Ultra Magnus, Juno-nominee D-Sisive, and BET Freestyle Champion Young Stitch. A strong female presence was equally important to O'Brien, with Eyeda Sophia providing powerful rhymes for the title track while Ice tha One, Annie Q, and Sarah Craig all bring their own distinct singing styles.

Schäffer the Darklord and my new album presents a collection of tracks inspired by beloved Disney narratives, albeit with a darker interpretation. Among the featured songs are "No Windows, No Doors," drawing inspiration from the eerie Haunted Mansion ride; "Rated G for Trauma," which revisits the most unsettling scenes across Disney films; "Rivers of Avren," based on "The Black Cauldron"; and "The Wizard's Assistant," reflecting on "Fantasia's" Sorcerer's Apprentice. The album also explores "The Mayor's Head" from "The Nightmare Before Christmas," "Finding Dreamfinder" from EPCOT's imaginative journey with Figment, and "Boogedy," inspired by the ghostly tale of Mr. Boogedy. Further tracks include "Tink of the Fae," offering a twist on "Peter Pan"; "Five Ways to Kill a Toon," hinting at the mixed universe of "Who Framed Roger Rabbit"; "Pleasure Island," channeling the cautionary tale from "Pinocchio"; and "Mr. Ravenswood," which pays homage to the lore of Phantom Manor and Big Thunder Mountain in Disneyland Paris.