US Hip Hop 352 Items

A sick 10 track EP of material from Zimbabwe Legit's 2007 album House of Stone including a few instrumentals and extras, handpicked by myself for the heads. Cats will know ZL from their 1996 DJ Shadow mixed Mo Wax release 'Doin' Damage In My Native Language'. The original release dropped in 1991 on Hollywood Basic [Organized Konfusion!] and ZL are often touted as the first African hip hop act to get a US release.



This slept on project from 2007 only had a CD release and was fairly low key at the time. It is mostly produced by Raw Produce's Cadence [R.I.P.]. Little story for you. I was in Beat Street [Fulton Mall, BK] at the time of one of their massive sales. I found one of the Raw Produce EPs there for 10c a pop. I copped about 30 or 40 [!!!]. Flipped em on the bay and a few years later I was digitally accosted by Seth [Cadence] on the DWG Forum. He was like "Did you bootleg my record!!" etc etc. I explained where I got them and after a little back n forth we squashed the beef and agreed to work on something in the future. Shortly after he passed and shortly after that I hooked up with producer DJ Quazar from New England Hip Hop Massive and released the grail which included Seth's first ever recording from 1992. And here we are now...



The features on this one are massive: Mike G from the Jungle Brothers, Mad Skillz, stic.man from Dead Prez, YZ, Prince Po, Breeze Evahflowin, Apani, Emskee and Cadence himself. Beautiful, conscious, jazz infused vibes from the motherland. Stupendous stuff!!!



Big shout out to my man in Canada Gee Roc for putting Dumi [from ZL] onto Herring to make this one happen. Props to all involved!!

Long-time collaborators Yungmorpheus & Theravada join forces on Up Against The Wall; A Degree Of Lunacy. Hazed storytelling from Yungmorpheus, the record talks of personal endeavours, where wisdom meets braggadocious and irreverent lyricism. The album was produced entirely by Theravada and has guest features from Awhlee and Starker. Yungmorpheus is an American rapper and record producer that has released music with Lex Records and collaborated with Pink Siifu, Fly Anakin, Koncept Jack$on and Ohbliv. Theravada is a rapper and producer hailing from Queens, New York that has worked with Earl Sweatshirt, Navy Blue, Ahwlee, YL & Lord Jah-monte Ogbon

Your Old Droog season is upon us. The prolific Brooklyn artist has cemented his place as one of the most important figures in the modern hip-hop landscape, delivering a steady stream of acclaimed projects. Now, YOD is at it again, unveiling a physical release of his recent collection Yodney Dangerfield. With beats by Nicholas Craven, SadhuGold, Lee Scott, and Jonwayne, the album is another extraordinary body of work from the talented Ukrainian wordsmith. And yet, the music industry still gives him no respect. This edition includes the physical-only bonus track “Metal Face Medley”, a Your Old Droog live performance montage honoring dearly departed rap god MF Doom.

Your Old Droog is back with another exhilarating hip-hop opus. Fresh off a series of outstanding projects, the prolific rhyme author is now debuting the new album Yod Stewart. Featuring captivating beats by Tha God Fahim, Nicholas Craven, Conductor Williams, Lee Scott, and more, the collection illuminates YOD's world-class songwriting and highly relatable storytelling prowess. Yod Stewart is a conceptual endeavor set within an intriguing narrative context: a recording artist comes across a Rod Stewart wig, takes it home, falls asleep, and becomes the pop star of his dreams. Follow the superstar on his turbulent but ultimately rewarding journey filled with musical meditations on lucid dreaming, keys to success, lost friendships, toxic relationships, teenage heartbreaks, and more. Your Old Droog does it all, again.

After releasing a successful collaboration album last year, Memphis, TN artist, Young Dolph returns with his highest charting album in his career, Rich Slave. The title is Dolph's commentary on how he is perceived – that no matter how much money he has – in the eyes of America, he will always be a slave. Rich Slave is the album that Young Dolph has shown growth in the sense that he has touched on current events, and social commentary with songs like, The Land that say, "they say this the land of the free, but it looks like the land of bullshit to me". With little features aside from Megan Thee Stallion, Key Glock, and G Herbo, Rich Slave showcases Young Dolph's charismatic skill, and ability to inspire those after him to pursue entrepreneurship.

Unless you have been living under a rock, XXXTENTACION is a name that needs no introduction. A true artist who was tragically slain earlier this year – XXXTENTACION left an indelible mark on culture and music in his all too brief 20 years on this planet. His catalog will go on to live forever, and he left one final piece of music for the world with SKINS. The album comes in at a short, but sweet 10 tracks with songs that delve into XXXTENTACION's deep and complex mind, and soul. With the lead single, BAD! Garnering 52M + streams in under a week, and merch drop that sold out in minutes, it is evident that XXXTENTACION's fanbase is ready for SKINS.

The debut album, 17 from the late musician, XXXTENTACION will be available for the first time ever on CD and LP formats.

The album was a departure from the single that gained him noteriety, Look At Me!, and foreshadowing of what was to come. With a talent ahead of his time, and a life cut too short, XXXTENTACION's legacy will forever live on in physical form via these releases.

The album, which is certified GOLD also features the 2x PLATINUM songs, Jocelyn Flores & Fuck Love, and also features deluxe packaging.

This pre-order item is a made-to-order, limited edition release. They are available to order until November 30, 2023, at which time pre-orders will close. To secure your copy, please place a pre-order by November 30, 2023. We advise you to order this item by itself. Shipping March 2024

Straight from the "Slums of Shaolin" thirty years ago on November 9, 1993, The RZA, The GZA, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon The Chef, Ol' Dirty Bastard, U-God, Masta Killa, Method Man and Ghostface Killah released their classic debut album Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).

To commemorate the 30th Anniversary of The Wu, Get On Down in partnership with Sony's Certified and The RZA is reissuing their debut album on limited edition clear with black and yellow splatter vinyl with a 30th Anniversary commemorative OBI. This is a shared exclusive with Get On Down in the US. In Europe only available at HHV.

Incredibly sought after tracks which have been originally been released in 2017. Now on 7".

Limited edition of 500 copies on 3LP in gatefold sleeve incl. 11 instrumental versions.

Originally released in 1995, "Riverside Pictures" marked the debut album by Walkin' Large creating buzz far beyond Germany. O.N.O.'s lyrical talent paired with DJ Ara as well as Roe Beardie behind the boards still remains timeless, same goes for the features by Fabe and Jeru The Damaja.

Available in a limited run on 3LP, extra 7" of "Reachin' (For My People) / When I Flow Feat. Jeru The Damaja" in original artwork sleeve, 2CD in jewel case, double cassette and digitally on all major platforms.

Esteemed hip-hop artist Vince Staples has released his self-titled album, produced by Kenny Beats. His first full-length release since 2018's critically acclaimed FM!, the 10-track LP delves not only into Staples' upbringing in Long Beach, but his psyche as he learns to cope with his yesterdays and strides toward new tomorrows, picking others up along the way.

/ part 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.

"the SP Chronicles" pays homage to the legendary SP 1200 sampler. All 6 cuts showcase the versatility & creativity of Broke/, JON Deliz, & Golfhead93 as they use the SP 1200 to create sonic landscapes that blend old school and new school elements. Full pic sleeve.

So Joe City aka Third Eye Ent hits me up and says B, hook up with my man Strez, he might have some ish you are looking for. So outta Norfolk, Virginia, this is the Foundation Entertainment EP. Most of these tracks appeared on an extremely rare couple of cds from 97 & 99 as well as one off a demo tape and one unreleased from the House of Reps unreleased stash!!! Peep this short interview with DJ Strez for some background info:



Where did you grow up? “I grew up in the Park Place/Villa Heights section of Norfolk Virginia born & raised.”

What are your earliest memories of the culture? “My earliest moments of the culture are begging my mom to go to the record store to buy The Fatboys first album, LL Cool J “Radio”, Run-D.M.C. “Raising Hell” & Beastie Boys “Licensed To Ill” albums. When I got home that day I played these albums non stop. That’s when I knew I was in love with Hip Hop.”

Who were your fav beatmakers coming up? “My Favorite Beat Makers/Producers coming up was Marley Marl, Pete Rock, The Bomb Squad, DJ Premier, Large Professor, Diamond D & Joe City (VA Native)”

What was the VA scene like? “The VA Scene Between 1991-2001 was a great time to be involved with music.A lot of local artists that were coming out started making tapes and selling them at shows or in the clubs.We had so many outlets back then and the major artists were also coming down checking the scene out as well. We definitely had hidden gems as far as talent.”

When did you start making beats? “I started making beats when I was around 16 years old. I was always fascinated with making music and always wanted to learn. The music that was made between “87-99″ was always mind blowing to me. Once i realized that they were taking loops from old records,sampling and making beats out of them i knew that that is what i wanted to do”

What were your first bits of gear? “My first bits of gear was a Casio Sk-1, a Gemini Sampler Ds-1224, a Korg M1, a Boss Dr-5 & a Pair of technics belt drive turntables.”

When did you set up Foundation Ent? “Foundation Ent was formed around 93-95 through my partner Carlton Barnard and he was also my manager. We met at a mall out here in VA called Military Circle in 1996 and we chopped it up and immediately clicked. It all started and developed when he said he had equipment that wasn’t really being used and i asked him if i could use it and eventually it led to us getting a building for a studio and signing artists.”

How did you hook up with all the mcs? “Before Foundation Ent, I was in a group with a friend of mine named Stratagee Real which later became an artist on Foundation Ent so we were already connected. Carlton did beats and had the group Coalition & a female artist named Bad News already so we started teaming up and recording music together in the studio. The other artists that were on the roster were mostly people that we came across that rap and sing.”

Undagawds – consisting of rapper Peter Manns & beatmaker Thelonious Coltrane – an American/Russian MC and Producer team with their chosen home Frankfurt am Main (Germany).
Peter Manns came from Cambridge (Massachusetts) to the German banking capital . There he met Thelonious Coltrane, who was about to flood the market across the city limits with a myriad of beat tapes long ago. It clicked between those two directly and, as a result, they created an absolute new school boombap-masterpiece.

The beats from Coltrane vary from soulful grooves und jazz samples (“Looking for Words“ and “Cognac“) to classic headnod-bangers („jump up“). Peter Manns adds his thoughtful lyrics being permanently performed with an unlimited amount of coolness to a perfect mix.

"Devil on my back, but i stay on track"

Friends left behind and newly won in the old and new home, phases of childhood and youth or simply the life itself – Peter Manns drags the listener into the hustle coming along with being a young immigrant from America trying to find his way in a foreign country and city. Of course, there are the girls, the funk, the partys and the weed as well... but foremost, each song those two present delivers the message: despite all difficulties and irregularities, it is the music, which makes it all void and, ultimately, puts together all the scattered pieces!

"We made a classic!" – and would they say otherwise, it would not be Hip Hop! Selftitled.

Undagawds.
Sichtexot Records.
You better pray.

Ridin' Dirty is the third studio album by dirty south legends Bun B and Pimp C –together known as UGK. It is easily considered one of the greatest southern hip hop albums ever made, but let’s drop all the labels this is just pure good rap music,for any region. It's all right there,everything that people have come to expect from Houston rap: candy-painted cars,wood-grained steering wheels, flashy jewelry, late-night odes to lean and weed, passing references to DJ Screw tapes, those warm funk synthesizers that sound like radio oldies.All of Ridin' Dirty feels iconic now— among other reasons, because so many of its lyrics have since been cribbed by everyone from Slim Thug to Jay Z. There's the laid-back badassery of"Diamonds and Wood," the zoned-out celebration of "3 in the Morning," the ridiculous boasting of "Fuck My Car." Everything here is essential.Ridin’ Dirty was produced entirely by Pimp C and features start to finish bangers such as “OneDay”, “Murder”, “Hi Lif” and of course the title track “Ridin’ Dirty.” Pimp C’s makes use of perfectly chosen Soul, Funk and Gospel samples to create a perfect soundscape for he and Bun B to trade verse over. Despite there being no singles or videos released from the album,the set went on to be a pivotal moment in southern hip hop as well as UGK's best-selling and most critically acclaimed release.

As wikipedia says: The album features uncredited guest appearances from Schoolboy Q, Charlie Wilson, Kali Uchis, Kanye West, Lil Wayne and Pharrell Williams ... so check it out!

MC's Chem and Jah, from Washington Heights (ny) formed Trauma Squad when they were hooked up with a young producer named Om'Mas Keith by Raw Breed's business manager and co-producer Ariel Caban. Caban was in high school with the rappers and later went on to work in the A&R department of RCA Records at the same time as the 16 year old Keith was interning there. Caban told me "I introduced them to Om'Mas because both had unique styles. Trauma with their off the wall eclectic style and Om' Mas with his musical genius who can play every instrument. They hit it off well right from the jump and created the demo tape."



There was some interest prior to making their demo, from Profile and Sleeping Bag Records but nothing firm. Most of the demos weren't in great condition but 2 have been resurrected from the old demo tape for a little taster 7" of what this crew might've become. Recorded in 95, Herring presents 2 ill tracks from this unknown group's unknown catalogue. Enjoy yo!!

The wait is finally over, Torae & Marco Polo return with their sophomore release Midnight Run, the follow up to their classic debut album Double Barrel. Midnight Run packs 11 tracks that will instantly satisfy fans of the elite lyricism and hard hitting production the duo is known for. The intro “Reloaded” sets the tone from the very beginning and stand outs such as “The Return”, “Makin’ Up” and “Oh No” maintain the momentum throughout. With no guest verses, no bars off and no filler Midnight Run gets directly to what you’ve been waiting for from the “Gray Sheep” Torae and Marco Polo.

Pressed on green vinyl! Originally released on July, 20th 1987 on Dangerous Music, Born To Mack is Too $hort's 4th studio album and re-released as his first major label release in 1988 on Jive Records. Long out of print on vinyl, this West Coast classic contains the 9+ minute track "Freaky Tales" which Snoop Dogg would state was highly influential, to such an extent that Snoop covered the song in ‘97 for the hip-hop covers compilation In Tha Beginning. Too $hort is one of the pioneers of West Coast Hip-Hop, commemorated with a street named in his honor - Oakland’s Too $hort Way dedicated in December of 2022. Too $hort continues to make music and plays West Coast classics and upcoming artists on his Rock The Bells radio show Don't Stop Rappin and is a member of West Coast Pioneers super group Mount Westmore.

Wow - here we have a Stunning 10 tracker from Tacoma-based producer DJ Shaggy C & his extended crew of different acts collectively known as Thunder Jam Alliance. There is loads of info in the biography/interview Here but what you really need to hear are the snippets.



A small number of the TJA demos are floating around on the net courtesy of a variety of demo tape collectors but nothing has been formally released, so here is an introduction to this mid-90s Tacoma crew's output. And hot damn, is this stuff special...



Big shout out to my man Hakan Dougpark for the connect and Unikone for his posts on the excellent Hip Hop The Golden Era Blog - 1L