Black Connection (2009)

As the Black Connection, Ayatollah Jaxx and Divine Seven take a different route than most. Only 35 minutes in length, the album strays from the unnecessary filler and proves that quality defeats quantity.

Jaxx and Sev are veterans, and leaders of the new school in Pittsburgh hip-hop. Getting your attention from the first word he spits, Jaxx is a lyrical hurricane that will surely have you rewinding the track. Sev brings a uniquely smooth, laid back delivery, along with catchy head-nodding hooks. Their complimentary styles create an ideal combination that is responsible for the refreshing sound heard on this album.

While the album explores the deepest essence of hip-hop in Pittsburgh, it can be appreciated by fans of the music worldwide. Unlike many albums released today, Black Connection maintains replay value. In addition to Jaxx and Sev, a collection of producers have invested their art to the project.

The album has soulful production from local favorite BusCrates, as well as contributions from Shade Cobain, J-Pad, TPM, Tone Beatz, and PMC/CJams. Normally, an album may struggle to vibe so perfectly with numerous producers, but that struggle is not heard here.

On "Happiness," a precisely chopped James Brown sample asks, "you know what happiness is?" Divine Seven replies, "It's a movement, man." This sums up Black Connection well. The album is uplifting and geared toward the progressive mindstate. It's up to the consumers to decide if this is a movement they will be part of.


01. Love <3 (Intro)(Prod. by BusCrates 16-Bit Ensemble)
02. Black Gold (Prod. by BusCrates 16-Bit Ensemble)
03. Regality (Prod. by BusCrates 16-Bit Ensemble)
04. Wordplay (Prod. by J-Pad the Juggernaut)
05. Al Silla Al Sawdaa...
06. Happiness (Prod. by Shade Cobain/BusCrates 16-Bit Ensemble)

07. Live Together (Prod. by TPM)
08. City Lights (Prod. by Tone Beatz)
09. Laureate Sketch (Prod. by PMC/CJams)

10. Pitch Black (Prod. by PMC/CJams)

http://www.zshare.net/download/67491636cd0eb232/

10/22/09 - Radio Show

October 22, 2009 Radio Show

Playlist:

The Nonce - On the Air
Sleestackz - Crystal Clear (Morning Blunt Mix)
Adagio - Boy & Girl Tale
Atmosphere - Complications
Blaque Sperm - Jizm
B-Self - Eye Listen
Madlib - Wide World of...
Shabaam Sahdeeq - Arabian Nights
Heltah Skeltah - Letha Brainz Blo
Jeru the Damaja - Ain't the Devil Happy
Young Zee - Toxic Waste
MF Grimm - Tick, Tick
Poops - The Shit
Godfather Don - Sleep
Killa Sin and Inspectah Deck - Tony Touch Freestyle
Mobb Deep - Still Shinin
50 Cent, Nas, & The Bravehearts - Who U Rep With
Monsta Island Czars - Under Pressure
Killarmy - Bastard Swordsman
Chino XL & Ras Kass- Riiiot!
Tragedy Khadafi & Imam Thug - Illuminati
Vakill - Flows You Can't Imagine
The U.N. - Golden Grail
Nas - Deja Vu
E. Money Bags, Nas, & Horse - I Want It
Lake & Nas - One Never Knows
Blackmajik - Rotten Apple
Natural Elements - 69 Caddy
Ruggedness Maddrama - Me & My Squad

Part 1

Part 2

LISTEN or DOWNLOAD

Classic Material - Roc Raida Tribute with DJ Rob Swift, DJ Z-Trip, and more

As I said in the previous post, it went down on October 17, 2009 at the Shadow Lounge in Pittsburgh, PA. Classic Material and the Time Bomb Crew organized one of the best shows I've seen, a GrandMaster Roc Raida tribute/fundraiser. DJ Rob Swift was the main act, DJ Z-Trip made a special appearance, local DJ's Selecta, Hank D, and SMI all took turns on the wheels of steel, Time Bomb Crew was in the place, MC BZE performed, Knowledge Build Allah of Classic 1824 hosted the event and kept the crowd live throughout the night, breakers from Oh My and more entertained the crowd prior to Rob's performance, the Shadow Lounge was filled to capacity. A good amount of money was earned for Raida's family. R.I.P. Roc Raida

10/15/09 - Radio Show

Recorded live on 10-15-2009

Playlist:
Part 1:
Candy Store - Local Scarface
Lastrawze - Sneak Peak
Slum Brothers - Stop Fronting
Dark Skinned Assassin - Lock Shit Down
Ring - One Game
Alps Cru - Nocturnal Illusions
Gas Chamber - Illusiv
Finsta Bundy - Feel the High
People in the Red Balloon - Nomad
Rubberoom - Synapse Gap
Immortal Griffen -
Epicentral - Compare & Contrast
Kid A & BusCrates - Movin Slow
Ill Biskits - God Bless Your Life
Smoked Out Productions - Styles
Jam da Original Troopa - Soul Search'n (Remix)
Superscientifiku ft. Kashal-Tee - Flip Fast
Dynospectrum - Winter Mood
Part 2:
WindNBreeze - Nuthin Really Happens (Piano Mix)
Saukrates - Father Time
Last Emperor - Gotta Have Love
Senswif - Maintain
Rick da Bro - Sins
Juggaknots - I'm Gonna Kill You
Ruggedness Maddrama - Checkin Down the Menu
Kukoo-da-Bag-a-Bonez - Big Queens
N.Y. Confidential - Backstabbed
Camoflauge Large - Cocbacda 9
Now Born Clik - X-Fyles
Jemini the Gifted One - Scars & Pain
N.O.T.S. Click - I Pack Steel
Bee Why - G.A.T.S.
Hollow Point - Clickz Like Gunz
Blackstract - 40 Gz and a 9
Kaotic Style & Shazam - Stick Up

LISTEN or DOWNLOAD the FULL SHOW

Part 1

Part 2

10-17-09 - Radio Show - Roc Raida Tribute / Rob Swift Interview

On October 17, DJ Rob Swift came to Pittsburgh for Classic Material's Grand Master DJ Roc Raida tribute/fundraiser. It was one of the best performances I have ever seen. DJ Selecta, DJ SMI, and DJ Hank D held down the 1's and 2's for most of the night prior to Rob performing. The local break-dancers did their thing for nearly two hours, getting the quickly-growing crowd hype!! BZE also came through and blessed the mic, while Knowledge Build Allah hosted the event. Another special guest also made an appearance, DJ Z-Trip, who was performing at the Andy Warhol Museum earlier in that night. Needless to say, magic happened. Videos from the event are coming soon.

A week prior to the event, I did a tribute to Roc Raida on my radio show. DJ Rob Swift gave me an incredible interview over the phone during the show. I have separated the two and posted them below.

Roc Raida Tribute Show:
http://www.zshare.net/audio/672016002e8be0e9/

Rob Swift Interview:
http://www.zshare.net/audio/6720154117d7c730/

Thanks to everyone that came out to the Shadow Lounge for the GM DJ Roc Raida tribute/fundraiser!!!

The Nickel - Trendsettin' 2000 (1999)

The Nickel was an eight member group out of Pittsburgh, PA consisting of EZO, Pauly Poundstone, Joey Doe, Nikke' 5 Fingaz, G-Laz, Vashiti the Renegade, SD da Bad Seed, and Maze the Musical Professor. From what I remember, the group was well-publicized. The album is more cof a rap feel than hip-hop, similar to the Skeem Circle album I posted earlier. Not sure where at or what the group is doing today.

The Nickel - Trendsettin' 2000

01. Intro
02. Coffee
03. Million
04. So Many Scars
05. How We Do
06. No Love
07. Collect Call
08. Ride On
09. Money

10. Shoot da Breeze
11. Groove 2000
12. Obstacles
13. Can't Stop
14. Sticky Green
15. Outro
16. Bonus Track

Link in comments.

Dunny - Real Shit Demo (2004)

Dope demo. Don't have any info other than that he is from Pittsburgh.

Dunny - Real Shit Demo
01. I'm in It for the Family

02. The Truth Hurts
03. Prayer to be Forgiven
04. How I Feel 8-7-04
05. My Life Story

Link in comments.

Skeem Circle - Survival Tactics (1999)

Staying with the trend of Pittsburgh hip-hop, I bring to you the trio Skeem Circle. The group is formed by Legend, Boogimann, and Pakman. Legend serves as both an MC and producer for a majority of the joints, while the rest of the production is handled by Scoops or Bach. DJ E adds somes scratches throughout the album as well. The album provides a good mix of group and solo tracks.

01. Intro
02. Who's Up (Legend, Boogimann, Pakman)
03. Absolute (Pakman)
04. Picture Dis (Boogimann)

05. Marvelous (Legend, Jaymie)
06. Ruff Rhymes Raw (Pakman, Legend, Boogimann)

07. Catch Reck (Pakman)
08. 4 Minutes (Legend)
09. Who da Man Is (Boogimann)

10. Illy Shit (Boogimann, Pakman, Legend)
11. Pakman Did It (Pakman)
12. Verbal Punishment (Boogimann, Nate)

13. Show No Mercy (Legend)

Link in comments.

Misfits in the Attic - Enter At Your Own Risk (1994)

Misfits in the Attic are group out of Pittsburgh, PA that consists of two female MC's, Ms. Chievious and Ms. Cellaneous, and producer Suga-Free.

Misfits in the Attic - Enter At Your Own Risk

01. Intro
02. When We Come
03. Black Steel Funk
04. The Godfather
05. No Competition
06. Knockin' At the Attic Do' (feat. The Dawn, TOJ-1200, Mel-Man, B.U.D., Reg, Royal E, & Lil Shock

07. Gittin' Buzy
08. I Come 2 Git Down
09. Kick It Anyway
10. Drunk Felicia
11. Summer Vacation
12. Duckin' Bullets
13. I Ain't Cha Hoe
14. The Dispute
15. Blind Love
16. Back It Up
17. Do Do Do Do Do Do
18. Discrimination
19. Misfitism
20. Cool-Aide

Link in comments.

Choked Out - Stressin' (1997)

Don't have much info for this, aside from that they're from Pittsburgh. Album is dope from beginning to end.


Tracklist:
01. Intro
02. Watchin Me
03. Steel City Bluez
04. Grabahold

05. Something For the People
06. Stressin'
07. Live From the Basment

08. Choke Together
09. The Root of All Evil

10. Fo' Real
11. Good, Bad, Ugly
12. OBG
13. 4 Evanite
14. Last Man Standing
15. Outro

Link in comments.