Pittsburgh Hip-Hop -- All of the artists and music on this blog are strongly supported by Stilltown. Links may be hidden in pictures or comments. Please contact me if you want a link removed.
=========================================== Satirical lyrics and abstract production guide this debut album from B-FreeDaMisfit. Coffee Break is a refreshing alternative to the “wackness” that is so often heard and imitated in music today. An incomparable cadence and effortless flow are illuminated over production inspired by a wide range of genres, including hip-hop, soul, funk, and electronic.
Coffee Break was written, produced, mixed, and mastered by B-FreeDaMisfit.
======================================== Progressive hip-hop producer Shade Cobain returns with a new beat EP, sampling tunes from Roy Porter Sound Machine. Need I say more?
======================================= Check out this incredibly dope new album from singer Iman Williams, produced entirely by Pittsburgh's own BusCrates 16-Bit Ensemble.
Earlier this year the Fear of Falling EP was presented, released, and served as an introduction to the southern lyricist known as Nick Pratt.
His overt lyricism and candor has helped him build a substantial buzz, placements on heavily promoted shows, and online press. In efforts to build off of his success, Nick Pratt returns with a solid second EP, “The New Cool”. Nick focused on showing his growth as an individual and artist while maintaining his illustrious bravado.
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In this short feature by ShortHand Films, “Re-Introducing Nick Pratt,” Pratt’s talent is re-examined. The four-minute film speaks to Pratt about The New Cool, the feel of his second EP and what it was like working with collaborators. As an added extra, Pratt finished with a quick acapella that is sure to impress.
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Nick Pratt Website: http://nickprattmusic.com
Nick Pratt Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/nickprattmusic
Nick Pratt Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nickprattmusic
--------------------------------------- The single, "Pain," will be featured on the new Pittsburgh hip-hop compilation, Stilltown, Vol. 4. Alongside Thelonious Stretch and Shade Cobain, this compilation will feature music from Black Sun, ChaRon Don & DJ Huggy, Jasiri X, Living Proofe, and Varsity Squad, among others. The album is tentatively scheduled to be released this month.
====================================== The Thursday Night Showcase is a monthly event, the 2nd Thursday of the month, hosted by Junior Maf with DJ Nuke Knocka on the wheels of steel. Together, Junior and Nuke also host a radio show, more info here.
Performers for the night include Judas & Reverrb the Pentium Christ, 41Deuce, Therm & Soul of Shindiggaz, and J. Basement.
Show Info: Shadow Lounge 5972 Baum Blvd.
Doors open at 9pm Tickets are $3 in advance, $5 at the door (Contact via e-mail for advance tickets: stilltownmgmt@gmail.com)
Check out the video for the first single, "World Famous"
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And for sports fans around the globe, stay up with the hottest topics by checking out Sands On Sports, a weekly series created by J. Sands of the Lone Cats.
Here is the newest episode, featuring Pharoahe Monch:
In the '90s, it's no secret that there was a greater prominence of the cliques, posses, crews, and clans. It was an era in which creative mind-blowing lyrics were the sole option for an artist to earn the props and respect of their peers. That said, what's better than having several lyricists spitting darts in 8 or 16 bar verses, back-to-back-to-back-to... you get the point.
At the time, the hip-hop scene in Pittsburgh wasn't much different in this regard. You had several groups putting their stamp on the local scene. The early '90s included Mel Man's Hardcore Crew, Funky to da Third, PensoulzInAKup, transitioning into the mid '90s which gave way to the Massive - a crew that later split in two with Strict Flow and RXC. These are only a few of the crews that were making waves in the city, as well as nationally, at the time.
This post is dedicated to the artistic musical craftings of RXC, an acronym for Reality Unknown Complex. The crew has also been recognized as Classic 1824, 1824 being a numerical symbolism of the letters R-X. Original members of the hip-hop group include C.I., Shamir Shine, Knowledge Build, Justice, Martial Ife, and Amaretto, while others that have been or continue to be a part are Iasia, Gemstarr, Solar Magnetic, Sha-King (fka Reason), Nabri Savior, Living Proofe, Angel Eye, and Gneticz. For a greater look into the crew and the Pittsburgh hip-hop scene at this time, refer to Part One of the video interview with C.I. located at the end of this post.
The following are the first three releases to come from the Classic 1824 / RXC camp. Future posts will include solo releases from Reason/Sha-King, Nabri Savior, Gneticz, and a variety of obscure radio appearances and freestyle sessions.
01-Rap Zodiak (Prod. by Sekou Coleman, Co-Prod. by Shamir Shine)
02-3 1/2 Minutes of Fame (Prod. by G-Knowt, Co-Prod. by Sekou Coleman) 03-Panik (Prod. by Shamir Shine, Co-Prod. by Sekou Coleman) 04-Livicated (Prod. by Shamir Shine, Co-Prod. by Outtareach)
W. Ellington Felton is a multi-talented artist who has been sharing his musical gift with peers since the early-mid '90s. In Pittsburgh, he may be better recognized as Dub Ell. While attending Carnegie Mellon University, Dub Ell had several local releases. During his stay, his producer-of-choice was Outtareach. Prior to leaving the city, Dub Ell put together an album titled The Final Day, which featured some of the city's most notable hip-hop artists at the time, including Masai of Strict Flow, C.I. of Afro-Cinema/RXC, Davu of Misfits from the Attic, and O-Ab of the Math Team. These releases from Dub Ell are some of my favorites that I've come across since I began exploring the local scene's history. They're coming soon to the Stilltown blog, so stay tuned! In the meantime, check out his new album, Land of Sheep, Ran By Pigs, Ruled By Wolves.
VANCOUVER, BC (RPRN) 10/14/10 — New Canadian record label Wandering Worx Music announced the signing of Pittsburgh hip hop veteran Jasiri X, and the release of the debut single That Funk off his upcoming 2011 album Ascension. N ew Canadian record label Wandering Worx Music announced today the signing of Pittsburgh hip hop veteran Jasiri X, and the release of the debut single That Funk available on Bandcamp this Friday, October 15th. Scheduled for release in early 2011, the album, titled Ascension, is produced by the label’s own Rel!g!on.
Jasiri X is already a household name in the Pittsburgh hip hop community, having won six Pittsburgh Hip Hop awards including Album of the Year for his debut LP, American History X, and Song of the Year for the politically charged single Free The Jena 6. He’s also been featured on BET’s Rap City, and hosts the weekly online hip hop news program This Week with Jasiri X, now in it’s fourth successful season. Rodney Davidson, co-founder of Wandering Worx Music, hopes pairing Jasiri X with the rising production talent of Rel!g!on, will result in a breakthrough record that catapults the artist’s career to deserved heights.
“Jasiri X has raw talent and his thought provoking lyrics are a refreshing change from the usual boasting about cars and money that permeates some of the popular hip hop out there today,” says Davidson. “Matched with Rel!g!on’s intricate production, this album won’t disappoint.”
Based in Vancouver, BC, Wandering Worx Music launched in October 2010 as the official record label of Wandering Worx Entertainment. The label’s debut release, Rel!g!on’s Revelationz 1, has already garnered critical acclaim, with the record’s first single Lucid, featuring Moka Only and E.D.G.E, in rotation on Much Music. The label is also working closely with renowned Vancouver producer Chin Injeti, who has collaborated with Kanye West, Drake and 50 Cent, in addition to producing two tracks on Eminem’s Recovery.
The beautifully talented Nikki Jean concluded her Living Room Tour in a city she once called home. In the mid-late '90s, Nikki's musical coming-of-age took place in Pittsburgh, PA. A graduate of Perry High School, Nikki was an original member of the Pittsburgh super-group, Jive Family. Other well known members of the Jive Family include "The Joker" Gene-Jive Stovall, Chenits (aka Tomorrow aka Chen Lo, also of Hi-Low Productions and Liberation), trombonist Reggie Watkins, Interval Monday keyboardist Howie Alexander, guitarist Justin Portis, hip-hop/soul producer Shade Cobain, and MC/Rhyme Calisthenics co-founder Thelonious Stretch.
Nikki put on an incredible show, performing collaborations with Carole King, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil, Burt Bacharach, Bobby Braddock, and Jimmy Webb. I urge anyone and everyone who enjoys great musical talent to support her. Take some time to watch the videos and listen to her recordings. And put the pressure on your local promoters to bring Nikki to your city!
Written with Carole King
"Mercy of Love" Written with Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil
Part 1: The Early Years In this segment, Black Sun speaks about early experiences as a hip-hop artist, the forming of the Four Horsemen, his transition from high school to college, and power-outage ciphers.
Part 2: Music Lives Forever In this segment, Black Sun speaks about the internet and hip-hop becoming a global phenomenon, the "now" generation, and the economics of lyricism in hip-hop.
Part 3: Saying Lines & Scoring Touchdowns In this segment, Black Sun speaks about hip-hop upgrade, his hometown of New Kensington, the soon to be released All-Madden '11 Mixtape, family, and work ethic.
Black Sun performs live at: GSMG x Stilltown present IMPACT Music Series Shadow Lounge, Aug. 27, 2010 "When We Do Our Thing"
"Baby Powder"
"Hannibal Lecture," from the soon to be released All-Madden '11 Mixtape
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) AV – Self Centered (Prod. by Keelay & Zaire) 2) Mario Dones – Ring To It (Prod. by Keelay & Zaire) 3) AV & Slo-Mo – Work (Prod. by Keelay & Zaire) 4) Mario Dones ft. Kam Moye – What More Could You Want (Prod. by Keelay & Zaire) 5) The Ave – Bob Knight (Produced by P. Fish) 6) Mario Dones – Pastries (Prod. by Nice Rec)
7) AV - Been Around The World (Prod. by J. Fish) 8) AV – The Quiet (Prod. by Nice Rec)
9) The Sole Vibe Interlude (Prod. by Veterano) 10) The Ave ft. Slo-Mo – Miss Jane (Prod. by Lazy J) 11) Mario Dones – Slow Motion (Prod. Keelay & Zaire) 12) AV – Reflections (Prod. by DJ Whooligan) 13) The Ave – Last Day of Summer (Prod. by J. Fish) 14) Mario Dones - Episode Call Life Revisited (Prod. by P. Fish) 15) AV – You (Prod. by Keelay and Zaire)
-------------------------------------------------------------- Vol. I 01-Guess Who's Back 02-America (Wake Up 03-Clones 04-Who Shot Ya 05-The MC (Mass Appeal) 06-Nuff Said
07-Do U Smoke (Cross the Border) 08-Non-Stop (Freestyle) 09-Reality 10-I Declare War 11-Big Ass On the Floor 12-Fallin' 13-Two Nickels
03-Radioactive 04-Everybody's On Drugs 05-Backpack Anthem 06-Gettin' @ Sunny 07-For the Children 08-Interview 1 09-I'll Be Around 10-Sex, Drugs, & Hip-Hop 11-Disneyland
12-Kill Bill 13-Breathe In 14-That Ain't Right 15-Interview 2 - Keep Doin' It 16-You Don't Know Me Either 17-Walking Thru the Hood 18-Selfishness 19-Doves 20-Sayonara
"On some solo shit, never been seen/ like George Clooney on the cover of Ebony Magazine/ Or, Shanaynay in the KKK/ packin' AK's, stickin' up Free and AJ"
"Fuck rhymin' bout diamonds and gems/ Yo, I'd have a pair of 12-inch Timbs than 20-inch rims"
"Sick in the brain, dawg never been in my right mind/ Word to Jesus rob Regis for his lifelines"
Concrete Elete consisted of Furious Styles, God Gifted, OMG, Chilly Ism, and Evil Man, with El aka Asiatic the Natural on production, a six man wrecking crew that did damage on the Pittsburgh and Philly hip-hop scene during the mid-90’s. Members brought their own artistic vision to the knocking instrumentals. In 1998, that vision was expressed through the crew's debut album, Basic Instructions: Listen... and Repeat.
Basic Instructions was 19 tracks deep, showcasing each MC's unique approach. El's versatile production served as a comfortable home to the rebellious lyrics of Furious Styles, the street savvy rhymes of God Gifted, and the clever wordplay of OMG.
Here to build on the crew’s history is Furious Styles aka Jasiri X.
RW: Peace Jasiri. Describe the foundation upon which Concrete Elete was assembled. How’d you meet and join forces?
JX: We met because I used to buy weed from Chub aka Evil Man. One day he was out of town so he hooked me up with Chill and OMG. We started talking about hip-hop, and that same day we were in me and Asiatic's studio, and the rest is history.
RW: You collectively finished the Basic Instructions album in 1998. How was it released?
JX: We actually put the album out ourselves, but we didn't have all the technological means like we do now, so not a lot of people heard it, but it gave us a buzz in Pittsburgh. Everybody called it the Red CD.
RW: Following the release of Basic Instructions, what ultimately led to the disbanding of the crew?
JX: We actually recorded an entire album after Basic Instructions, but we couldn't agree on the direction. I felt like we should remain underground and other members felt we should make crossover records so we just went our separate ways.
RW: How did the Concrete Elete experience provide groundwork for Jasiri X, the solo MC?
JX: It caused people to know and respect me in the Pittsburgh Hip-Hop scene, so I could still get shows and support as a solo MC. Plus we performed a lot, so it enabled me to learn how to rock a crowd, which is a lost art today.
RW: How do you believe fans can embrace this long lost Concrete Elete album?
JX: To me it still stands up to the test of time, good beats and good lyrics. I'd put us up against a whole lot of groups out today that aren't half as talented. Also want to send a special shout out to two original Concrete Elete members not on the album, The General and the Black Chinaman.
Tracklist: 01. Intro 02. Dat First Shit 03. We Got U 04. Raw Dilly 05. Where U At 06. Interlude 07. Physical Anger 08. Khalifahs 09. I Don't Know 10. Takin Over
Gene Stovall Music Group and Stilltown presents the HOTTEST Back to School Event!! **IMPACT Music Series: BACK TO SCHOOL EDITION**
First 25 people through the door get a FREE exclusive limited edition hard copy of the new Stilltown mixtape compilation, Stilltown Vol. 4, featuring more than 20 of the Steel City's best hip-hop acts!
$5 w/ College ID or RSVP in FACEBOOK event page $8 at the Door
****SPONSORED**** and Giveaways by: SOUL II SOLE: Sneaker Boutique (Pittsburgh King & Piffsburgh T-Shirts) also sponsored by: RepPghHipHop + Rhyme Cal + Classic 1824
+Varsity Squad+ This newly formed supercrew will follow-up their debut performance at the Method Man/Redman show with an epic set at IMPACT: Back to School Edition. Jon Quest, Beedie, and Shade Cobain have already generated a national buzz as solo artists. One of the hypest hip-hop groups out, do youself a favor by getting familiar with this crew now.
^The Sole Vibe^ Mario Dones and AV hold down the mics for the Sole Vibe collective. Their music will have you busting out your neckbrace and waving your hands uncReontrollably. Their new album, One to Grow On, will be released late this month.
~Ayatollah Jaxx~ Aiyo, real rap? This dude can out-rap both your favorite rapper and your favorite rapper's favorite rapper, at the same time. Not only that, he's one hell-of-an-entertainer as well. When Jaxx is one stage, it will be all eyes on he.
The process of digging up and sharing more than two decades worth of Pittsburgh hip-hop material is fun, but also quite time consuming. In the process of finding these treasures, I'm doing a lot of fact-checking and researching of the story behind each artist and release.
There is plenty of dope Pittsburgh music that will soon invade the blogosphere. With the explosion of Wiz Khalifa on the mainstream music scene, Mac Miller on the brink, Jasiri X carrying conscious hip-hop on his back, Shade Cobain creating the future sound of the genre, and other local acts like Ayatollah Jaxx, Kid A, and Varsity Squad on the come-up, there is no better time than now to introduce the many hip-hop artists that have worn the city's name on their chest in years and decades passed. Here is a compilation of some music that will soon be released in-full on the Philaflava and Stilltown blogs.
01 - Crush Money - Full Tilt (Prod. by DJ Rampage) (1998) 02 - Afro Cinema - 3 1/2 Minutes of Fame (Prod. by Shamir Shine) (1997)
03 - Blowup School presents Versemaster Sef feat. Cool Ass Doug - Famous (Prod. by DJ Melun) (1998) 04 - Pensoulzinakup [Akil Esoon, Emmai Alaquiva, Oyo] - Scat (feat. Da Selecta & B-Tree) (Prod. by Pensoulz) (1993) 05 - Rook & Bishop - Relatin to Transparent (1998) 06 - Mel-Man - The Mel-Funktion (Prod. by Mel-Man) (1991) 07 - Choked Out - The Roots of All Evil (1997) 08 - DJ Demonic - Last Nite (Prod. by DJ Demonic) (1995) 09 - Concrete Elete - Takin Over (Prod. by El the Asiatic) (1997) 10 - 4 Horsemen [Crush Money, Black Sun, I-Shine, Scandal] - Inner City Life (1998)
It's finally here! The long awaited and latest project from Sha, the "No Fly List" Mixtape. Featuring production from Akim Mathematics (NC), London English (UK), TRIBE LLC/ChinChilla Muzik (GA) & Dj Trama (NC)... download it for FREE to your IPOD, play it in the whip, burn it for a friend, whatever. Just turn it up loud & enjoy!
--------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------- Method Man & Redman live in Pittsburgh! Tuesday, August 17 The Altar Bar in the Strip District 1620 Penn Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15222
I HAVE TICKETS FOR SALE Only $35 in advance, $40 at the door Hit me up at stilltownmgmt@gmail.com or 412-956-3361 Save money and support Stilltown by buying tickets early:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- These mixtape compilations were released by Kid A, formerly recognized as EMS, in the later half of the decade. Since his early teens, when he began stepping into ciphers with some of the city's most respected MC's, Kid A has been impressing his peers. The Devil's Advocate mixtapes show the skills and potential of this young artist. Here for the long-haul, with fate in-hand, this MC's experience and hunger are two factors that support Kid A becoming the next Pittsburgh hip-hop artist to flood the global hip-hop market.
The Devil's Advocate Vol. 1 (2005-08) "The Devil's Advocate"
According to the back cover, producers are Tobias and Playboy Bailey, however, half of the album is over industry beats. The MC's that I can name are Bad News, Chick Kain, Feat, Goldie, Leah, Nicky Bricks, P6, Savage Blair, Slum Nino, Tamika, and Woozy.
03-1 Fifth Tea 04-Slum Nino 05-Last Breed (Acapella) 06-Drip For Drop 07-Projezek Stress
08-1700 Hundred St. 09-That Young Hoe 10-I'll Be Your Everything 11-Interlude 12-Watch the Lye 13-No Hook 14-Hill All-Stars 15-C.D.Y.T. 16-Hill-Homewood Connection 17-How Real Is That 18-Like This Shit
CD2 01-Interlude 02-You Ain't Gotta Look For Drama
03-Bitches Wanna Look Ride Now 04-Load Up and Blow 8 05-I'm Hot Who Beg To Differ 06-We Business Men 07-Goldies Back Again 08-We Just Too Much 09-Blackout
10-I Want to Walk Away 11-Plays of the Week 12-Leave It to the Streets and the Dark 13-Go All Out Like It's Your Last Night 14-Hate Me Now 15-I'm a Mursalis 16-Freestyle Off the Top of the Head 17-Street Tales 18-Outro
The crew released a second album,Street Politics, in 2002. If anyone has it and can hook it up, it'd be appreciated.
