Beats, Rhymes, & Life: Travels of A Tribe Called Quest

According to Above Ground Magazine, A Tribe Called Quest documentary entitled Beats, Rhymes, & Life: Travels of A Tribe Called Quest, is getting released to the public sometime in July 2011. After a great showing at Sundance, I'm really excited to see what this movie has in store. Tribe has always been one of my favorite hip hop groups, so you know I'm buggin' out about right now. Luckily, one of the places it's getting its release is Cinema 21 in Portland. I know where I'll be the day this comes out.

The one thing I'm a little unsure about is how much of the video is approved by ATCQ. Controversy over the video began after Q-Tip tweeted that Tribe didn't approve of a few portions of the film, and called on director Michael Rappaport to respect the groups wishes. That's definitely not going to stop me from watching it, but I will remember to take it with a grain of salt.

Here's the Official Site for the film, and you can find a full list of cities and theaters the documentary is being released in the ORIGINAL ARTICLE.

VIDEO!: Zion I & The Grouch - Healing of the Nation

Zumbi, AmpLive and The Grouch dropped their second LP, Heroes in the Healing of the Nation on March 22, and this is a video they filmed for one of the album tracks. Spazzoid strobes in the beginning, Zumbi going apeshit, and kids with sledgehammers make for one hell of a ride. The visuals compliment Amp's angry guitar riffs and sharp snare hits really well and if nothing else, it's good to see this crew back in action

P.S. Fun Fact: The album contains absolutely no swearing. Not very common in hip hop these days.

Check out Zion I over at Zionicrew.com, where you can cop the album, and some Zion I #swag.

You can also snag the LP over at The Grouch's site.

Seen over at one of our favorite music blogs, P&P.

Video!: Chris Brown - Real Hip Hop Shit

Chris Brown on a song called "Real Hip Hop Shit"? I'm intrigued. Chris Brown rapping on a song called "Real Hip Hop Shit"? And he goes in for the entire song, not just the half-rap, half-singing he usually does? Now I'm really intrigued. I don't think it's half bad. What about you guys?

Freddie Gibbs - Something New (Feat. YP)

Yes, those are speakers. Oh, and yes, this is the car you should be bumping this next song in. Anything less, and the speakers really won't do it justice.

So do you guys remember that one time, where Dr. Dre came out with one of the best hip hop albums of all time? And remember that time when "Xxplosive" (and every other song on that record, for that matter) was a cut? Producer Million $ Mano does. Here, he pulls the same sample (Soul Mann & the Brothers cover of "Bumpy's Lament" by Isaac Hayes) that "Xxplosive" uses and flips it and makes it his own. Freddie Gibbs owns this beat, and his smooth flow just feels right over the soulful production.

"I take a blunt to the face / And then I turn up the bass"

Freddie Gibbs - Something New (Feat. YP)

Chip Locke - All That (Feat. Nick Kahl)

 

Chip Locke is homegrown rap straight outta Portland, Oregon. His tight flow rolls perfectly over the soulful beat as he raps about blunts, bitches, and, well, you know.... Nick Kahl has a nice guest feature as well. You will be hearing a lot more great stuff from these guys, and it'll all definitely be coming through here for your listening pleasure.

Look forward to our upcoming post on his first mixtape Your Neighborhood Drug Dealer.

Check Chip out over at his Facebook  or his Soundcloud page.

All That (Feat. Nick Kahl) by Chip Locke

Mind Playin' Tricks on Me - Geto Boys

One of the most under-appreciated rappers out there is Scarface. He's been on the grind since the early '90s, and has put out quite a few albums, a couple of which I would consider classics. Although most people only know his group The Geto Boys from their popular "Damn It Feels Good to Be a Gangsta", the hardcore hip hop crew has a few other gems that not many people know about. This is one of 'em.

Mind Playin' Tricks on Me - Geto Boys

The Last Hope (Feat. Kardinall Offishall & Andreena Mill) - Drake

Another cut by my boy Drake, this one is laid back. Waaaay back. A staple in chill playlists in my library, Drake has some nice verses, and Kardinal Offishalls is (gasp) actually not too shabby. Love the vocal sample and Andreena Mill on the chorus.

The Last Hope (Feat. Kardinall Offishall & Andreena Mill) - Drake

Dynospectrum

Although Atmosphere and Rhymesayers Entertainment's profile in the hip hop scene has increased dramatically in the past few years, not many people know about a lot of their earlier work. Dynospectrum was the brainchild of label co-founder Musab (then known as Beyond). The group consisted of Musab, Slug, Swift, and I Self Devine, who were all members of the original Headshots crew. Production for their one and only album, aptly titled "The Dynospectrum", was handled by Ant. Lyrically the album is stunning, and each of the four emcees shine at different points. The production is raw and haunting, and in my opinion, it's some of Ant's best work. This is album is a must have for hip hop heads everywhere.

Southside Myth - Dynospectrum
Anything is Everything - Dynospectrum

VIDEO!: Man in a Raincoat - C-Villian

C-villain, a Eugene rapper originally from the bay area, has dropped the video for the first single off his upcoming album, A.D.D. The sample gives this one some smooth old-school vibes, and C-villain has got some serious lyrical talent. Be on the lookout for this guy.

Grin & Bear It (By LMNO) - The Beat Junkies

A classic mixtape from a classic crew. This is a cut by LMNO, with scratching by the World Famous Beat Junkies crew. The cut up piano sample sounds great, and the mixing by the Beat Junkies is top notch, as always. Hip hop doesn't get much better than this.

Grin & Bear It (By LMNO) - The Beat Junkies

Friday Night Lights (Mixtape) - J. Cole

UPDATE:

Pick up the mixtape from J. Cole's official website.

I also deleted "Blow Up" as a downloadable track since it's not actually off this mixtape. I'd repost, but I'd get another DMCA notice. So go find it somewhere else, it's one of the best songs I've heard all year.

J. Cole has been absolutely killing it in 2010. Undoubtedly my favorite rapper right now, everything he touches turns to gold. He does most of his own production, and then lays amazing verses over it.

Here's a track from his newest mixtape (it took me forever to decide which one to put up; they're all so good):

In The Morning (Feat. Drake) - J. Cole

And here's the rest of the tape. I know you'll make the right decision and DL the whole thing:

Friday Night Lights (Mixtape) - J. Cole

Fire Flame (Remix) [Feat. Lil Wayne] - Birdman

Yes, Birdman blows. I have a soft spot for bangers that sound good on a nice system though, and that's exactly what this is. It's also good to hear Wayne spitting some fire on his verses again.

If you got problems with I, well I will fix them cataracts / They say it cost to be the boss / I paid the price including tax / Bitch I’m a fire flame spitter / And to me you niggas wax

Fire Flame (Remix) [Feat. Lil Wayne] - Birdman

Best of Flying Lotus Mix

WOW. It's been awhile. But with work over, I am recommitting myself to the blog. And have I collected some good shit for you guys this past month. First up, this mix I pulled off HiphopHypedog. In the past I haven't been a huge Flying Lotus fan, but this mix has changed my mind. Not sure exactly who created, as I've found it on a couple different blogs, but it's a great mix for those of us uninitiated in the ways of FlyLo. A lot of his stuff is Dilla-esque, but usually a little more intricate and ambient; this mix is a great way to wind down after a long day at work.

Best of Flying Lotus Mix

Purple Monkey Sircus

Since I slacked for so long on my last post, I decided to give you two today. One of my future roommates got me hyped on PMS way back in the beginning of the year. With their own unique brand of energetic and youthful hip-hop, they're already making big moves in the industry. Instead of re-writing a bio, here's (a slightly edited) one straight from the boys themselves:


"Purple Monkey Sircus is a hip-hop trio from Cleveland Heights, OH including members Johnny “Mr. Hollywood” Thirdboy (lyricist), Money Makin’ Mitch (producer) and Q or Qx3rd (lyricist). Purple Monkey Sircus released their first project entitled, “MMMxBeats & RnR are The Purple Monkey Sircus” with the world renown disc jockey ‘Mick Boogie’...On January 13th, 2009, the project was released and instantly received an great amount of publicity & excellent reviews...The originality and freshness of the young, new group grasped the attention of various blog sites... and thousands of new fans. They have sold out various shows and venues and have recently completed their latest project ‘Purple Monkey Sircus 3: Candyland’..."


These guys are supposed to be heading out to Oregon sometime in the fall, and if they're headed to Eugene, you can bet I'll be the first one in line for tickets.


Tell Me Why I'm Killin' 'Em (Feat. Tezo) - Purple Monkey Sircus
Fuck My Life (FML) [Feat. Roxy] - Purple Monkey Circus
Blue Moo Cookie Dough - Purple Monky Sircus

Satellite (Hudson Mohawke Remix) - B.o.B

Wow, sorry it's been so long, I've been busy busy busy with work annnnd... you know it's kinda funny, but I'm not really sure what else. Whatever I've been doing though, it has sure been keeping me busy. Anyway, here at Get Lifted, we're back on that B.o.B hype. B.o.B has been running the radio for the past few months, and here's a great remix of one of the bonus tracks off his first album. Saw Hud Mo at Sasquatch for a little bit and he killed it, just like he does this remix off Adult Swim's ATL RMX album. But back to the song... The twinkling synths play perfectly across whomping bass, and really make you feel like your "blasting off like a satellite, satellite". A must have for any B.o.B fan. Or just anyone who likes good music....

Satellite (Hudson Mohawke Remix) - B.o.B

Pac Div

If you listen to the hype for these guys coming from most of the blogosphere, these guys are the next big thing to hit the left coast. Some people have gone as far as to treat them as the next big torch holders for good ol' west coast hip hop. We'll have to see about that, but in the mean time, they're making some damn good music. "Rollin'" is as smooth as it gets, and "Shut Up" is banger that sounds suspiciously like.... a Cool Kids track. Oh, The Cool Kids are on that track? Ha. Look at that....what a coincidence. Finally, "Don't Forget The Swishers" is an ode to sweet sensimilla with some hot features from Chip Tha Rip and Dom. Let the good times roll.

Rollin' (Feat. Ty$) - Pac Div
Shut Up (Feat. The Cool Kids) - Pac Div
Don't Forget the Swishers (Feat. Dom Kennedy, cARTer & Chip Tha Ripper) - Pac Div

Nas & Damian Marley

When two of the leading artists in their respective genres put out an album together, the result is generally nothing less than spectacular, and Distant Relatives is no exception. After working together on the track "Road to Zion", off of Damian Marley's last album Welcome to Jamrock, Damian and Nas decided to collaborate on an album celebrating Africa and the interconnectedness of all peoples. Since I first heard about the project I was extremely excited; what could be better than two of my favorite artists collaborating on an entire album together? Although on first listen it wasn't quite what I had expected ( a lot more hip-hop and a lot less reggae), the album quickly grew on me. Nas' slick rhymes and A-list of guests bring the album together, over thundering reggae beats by Damian. Here's two of the top cuts, plus the original collabo which made the album happen (which in my opinion is better than anything on the album).

Road to Zion (Feat. Nas) - Damian Marley

As We Enter - Nas & Damian Marley

Africa Must Wake Up (Feat. K' Naan) - Nas & Damian Marley

Removed by request

Illinoize (Mixtape) - Tor

Sorry it's been a week since my last post, but it has been one heck week. Just got back from SASQUATCH! Music Festival, and it was one of the most amazing weekends of my life, with some of the best live music I've ever heard. And on that note, here's more of my favorite music...

This mixtape is the mash-up/remix genre at it's best. Canadian producer Tor has sampled folk singer Sufjan Stevens and a few of hip-hop's better known names to create and absolute masterpiece. Almost all of the songs on this tape could hold their own as original compositions; they don't sound like mashups at all. In fact, I probably like a couple of these joints better than the originals.

Dumb I Sound / ATLiens (Feat. Outkast) - Tor / Mediafire
Night Zombies / Talkin' My Shit (Feat. Brother Ali) - Tor / Mediafire

Download out the whole mixtape for free right HERE, as well as check out more of Tor's amazing work (again, for the best price of all, free).

Obie Trice

Real name, no gimmicks. This line from the beginning of the Eminem song Without Me is probably the only way most people have heard of Obie Trice. Obie is definitely a rapper in his own right though, he's three albums deep already, with his fourth, Bottoms Up, coming out sometime this year. These are two songs of his first album, Cheers. The Set Up is catchy andhas a dope beat, and Don't Come Down is a great song, the story of, and apology for, Obie's childhood struggles with his mother.

Don't Come Down - Obie Trice / Mediafire
The Set Up - Obie Trice / Mediafire

Free Gucci

Not such a big fan of Gucci Mane, but this mixtape is actually sort of cool. It includes some crazy remixes of some of Gucci's songs. From minimalist electronic bleeps and blips, to wild, pulsing electro beats, the mixtape offers very interesting takes on a pretty typical mainstream southern rap artist. Gucci's voice actually complements a fair amount of the production on most of these tracks, and while not every song is a banger, these two most certainly are. If you want the whole thing, you can nab it HERE.

Dope Boys (Bird Peterson Remix) - Gucci Mane / Mediafire
Boi (Zomby Remix) - Gucci Mane / Mediafire (This song is fiiire)


Oh, and as a bonus, here's Gucci on a dope Drake track off his Thank Me Later Mixtape.

Let's Have Fun (Feat. Gucci Mane, Lil Wayne & Keri Hilson) - Drake / Mediafire