The Spring Heat

As most of you know I reside in Canada. Canada is known for its cold days and its colder days. Dont get me wrong, I love living here. I have one of the biggest tourist attractions in the world no more than a 20 minute drive away (Niagara Falls), and im not far from the U.S border. But its rare we see a warm day before the month of May. However, this past Tuesday was quite warm. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping and school was a write off. So I decided to join a few buddies of mine for some beers and a skate session. Its been a while since my feet touched a board, but i was really into it. It got me thinking back to the days where I worshiped every skater and how much I enjoyed playing Tony Hawks Pro Skater for playstation.






As far as music goes the soundtracks for Tony Hawks Pro Skater have always been highly influenced by hip hop. At the time I was only a youngin' but little did I know that one day some of these artists would make a huge impact in my life. For instance Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3 had featured artists such as Krs One, Del The Funky, X-Zibit, Redman, The Nextmen and even House Of Pain. I mean its no wonder I loved playing this game so much.


In-game Soundtrack Track list:
The Adolescents - "Amoeba"
AFI - "The Boy Who Destroyed the World"
Alien Ant Farm - "Wish"
Bodyjar - "Not the Same"
CKY - "96 Quite Bitter Beings"
Del tha Funkee Homosapien - "If You Must"
Guttermouth - "I'm Destroying the World"
House of Pain - "I'm a Swing-It"
KRS-One - "Hush"
The Mad Capsule Markets - "N-Pulse" Motörhead - "Ace of Spades"
The Nextmen - "Amongst Madness"
Ozomatli - "Cut Chemist Suite"
Ramones - "Blitzkrieg Bop"
Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Fight Like a Brave"
Redman - "Let's Get Dirty"
The Reverend Horton Heat - "I Can't Surf"
Rollins Band - "What's the Matter Man"
Xzibit - "Paparazzi"
Zebrahead - "Check"

http://rapidshare.com/files/100310815/Tony_Hawk_s_Pro_Skater_3_Soundtrack.part1.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/100303526/Tony_Hawk_s_Pro_Skater_3_Soundtrack.part2.rar

(I dont believe in jacking links but I found these on a site by the name of tinydl without any write ups or any comments so I figured I would make it easy on my self and just share the wealth.)

Here is a link for more Tony Hawk Soundtracks
http://www.tinydl.com/music-and-music-video-download/music-download/1402-tony-hawk-pro-skater-series-soundtrack.html

One of the first decks I ever owned was a World Industries. It had Royal trucks, Birdhouse wheels and Birdhouse bearings (fastest pair of wheels I ever owned). Willy Santos has been tearing it up for as long as I can remember and it really shows in this video.

The Upstarts - Got What It Takes



The Upstarts are a hip hop group out of San Diego California. The Upstarts Consist of “Profile” of Sound Providers, “Price” (emcee) and “Iron Mike” (DJ/Drummer). Their music is very energetic and the album is a great listen. A stand out track for me is Grand Design featuring Grap Luva and Kev Brown. Freddie Joachim also shines on this track with the production keeping it jazzy.

Grand Design - http://www.zshare.net/audio/10665628f7e41a54/

1. Got What it Takes
2. Paradise
3. Natural featuring Latanya Lockett
4. The Biz featuring Blest
5. Thursday Night
6. Times Right
7. Real Definition featuring Grap Luva
8. Stand Up
9. Grand Design featuring Grap Luva and Kev Brown
10. Boogie
11. So Nice
12. Trouble
13. Always

http://sharebee.com/ddbde5f0

http://www.myspace.com/theupstarts

This is one you can definitely blast on a sunny day, skating with your buddies or just drinking some brew. Make sure you grab this one and like I always say, if you really enjoy it, buy it.

Peace

Producer Of The Month - Freddie Joachim

Producer Of The Month



Its always nice when you find out about a new and up n' coming producer. I first came across Freddie Joachim almost a year ago when I first listened to Son of Ran's - A Tribute To Sky City. I also gave praise to Freddie for his work on Brawdcast's - Endure album in a previous post a while back. Ive been hitting Joachim's blog for the past couple months now, downloading his Podcasts which he films live for viewers regularly and peeping his sense of style for his love of music.

If your still curious about his resume check this out....

Discography:
Source-http://www.freddiejoachim.com/about.html

The ParanormL - "Jazz is the Fundamentals EP" label: Altered Vibes(2005)
"Keep it Moving" - production

The EarthTones - "For All Seasons" label: indie (2005)
"Building" - production

Untapped Sounds - "The Change Up Vol.1" label: Untapped Sounds (2006)
"Marie feat. Choice37" - production
"Shadow of Smiles" - production

Braille - "Box of Rhymes/Extra Box for Japan" label: Hip Hop is Music (2006)
"Cooling Out" - production

Son of Ran - "A Sky City Classic" promo (2006)
"Can I"
"Brief Soul"
"No Sunshizzle"
"Gates to Cybertron"
"Get Up"
"As Long As There's You"
"Ya'lls Truly" - all production

Doping Records - "Cool Out Remixes: Freddie Joachim" label: Subcontact (2007)
"Mos Def - Mathematics Remix"
"Talib Kweli - Rock On Remix

The Upstarts - "The Know How" label:Subcontact/Better Built Music (2007)
"Got What it Takes"
"Paradise"
"Natural feat. Latanya Lockett"
"Time's Right"
"Real Definition feat. Grap Luva"
"Stand Up"
"Grand Design feat. Grap Luva & Kev Brown"
"Trouble"
"Always" - all production

Lauren Santiago - "Sundays EP" label: indie (2007)
"Take it Back" - production.

The ParanormL - "Fundamentals" label: Swamp Records Japan (2007)
"Experience feat. FatHed" - production
"Golden Age" - production

Choice37 - "Diligence" label: Subcontact Japan/Untapped Sounds (2007)
"Tomorrow feat. Othello" - production
"Conversate Remix feat. Kero One & El Gambina" - production

The Smile Rays - "Party Place EP" label: Subcontact (2007)
"Trust Remix" - production.

Brawdcast - "Endure" label: Subcontact (2007)
"Night Walk feat. LMNO & N8"
"Not Today feat. Francesca"
"Leaving feat. Francesca"
"Getback feat. Meta" "Soul Search feat. Sophistic"
"The Ease"
"Rest of Your Life"
"The Prayer" - all production

There is something about instrumentals that get me moving while cruising in the jeep, walking around school or going for a nice run. What can I say, I love beats. I like abstract beats, smooth beats and the jazziest of beats. Freddie offers all of the above in a mix tape he offers for free on his blog.

Freddie Joachim - Tiger *Instrumentals
Download - http://sharebee.com/79f4b7ff
1. Darkness
2. Sauced
3. Shotty
4. Circles
5. Just A Peace
6. Winter Rainbow
7. Sexual Chocolate

Plus 2 additional Jay Z Bonus Remixes
Ignorant S***
Pray

Track # 2 Sauced http://www.zshare.net/audio/10311791f4e4a610/

In the mean time Freddie is working on an upcoming release of his debut album "In with time" due to release soon. Im looking forward to it and im hoping he catches some people off guard on how ill he really is.

Be sure to check out his promo vids for "In with time" and drop him a line over at his blogspot.
http://freddiejoachim.blogspot.com/


Promo Vid 2



Promo Vid 1



Peace & Enjoy!!

tPC- The O.N.E.

Another dope release from tPC's new album A LONG STORY SHORT...

Put Your Head Phones On

So today I decided to get dirty with Zshare and up some music I have been listening to over the past few weeks. I have wanted to use zshare for a long time now, but I never really thought I could pull it off. Here goes nothing....



Silent Knight ft. Emilio Rojas Aka Raks One - Reach
http://www.zshare.net/audio/9849500a33fa84/

Silent Knight's Restoration was an album I anticipated ever since I listened to his last album "Hunger Strike". In 2007 Silent Knight signed to Rawkus 50 which in my opinion made this album that much better. Reach is the track Ive selected to present as a favorite which features Emilio Rojas who is better known as Raks one. The track touches base on both artists perspective and what they are trying to gain from the hip hop industry. The beat is a remix by M-Phazes and includes a nice soulful sample for everyone to enjoy. If you haven't checked out "Restoration" from Silent Knight I fully recommend it.



Gnotes ft. Kabir - Tower of Babylon
http://www.zshare.net/audio/984887411af3a7/

Gnotes is an emcee who I came across over at WYDU a couple months back. He is a teacher of revolutionary ideas and revolutionary music. Tower of Babylon is one of the tracks off his album "Beats and Rhymes" I found interesting. After taking one listen it left me saying damn, why didn't I have any teachers like notes' throughout high school? Tower of Babylon emphasizes that instead of thinking only of yourself all the time it is important to remember we are all one. One problem with the music industry today is too many artists are high on themselves and only speak about expensive items while poor people starve which in turn leaves the listener thinking this is perfectly normal.
People of all ages, make sure you check out Gnotes - Beats and Rhymes for a great listen and overall a better way of living.

"Live life through the pain and struggle, build strength and find your hustle, you don't always have to flex your muscles give back to your people take care of your people."



Mellow Drum Addict & Short Stop ft. Lord Zen and Jasper Brown - Could Have
http://www.zshare.net/audio/98483479e885ec/

Heres a track from Mellow Drum Addict & Short Stop's album Fire Escape Artists. "Could Have" was a favorite of mine because it focuses on the struggles of everyday life problems. Some days are tougher than others and lets face it, sometimes you want to throw the towel in. This track is a confession from the artists admitting how close they've all came to giving up but decided that in the end it wouldn't be worth it. Check it out, and if you decide you really like the track pick up the album, apparently all proceeds go to www.compassion.com to help feed some unfortunate children.



The Oddities - Coming Down
http://www.zshare.net/audio/984809398a4425/

This is an older album I have decided to give a few spins lately. Oddities are a crew from Toronto Ontario Canada who released "The Scenic Route" in September 2003. The past week I have listened to "Coming Down" numerous times and cant seem to get the beat out of my head. The track itself will grab hold of you and have you listening to it over and over again. If you enjoy this track make sure you check out Oddities myspace for more.

http://www.myspace.com/oddlyenough



Bless 1- We
http://www.zshare.net/audio/984776855fa19f/

This is Bless 1's "We" from his recent album Starving Artist. The beat is crisp and the lyrics are fresh. The hook is contagious and the lyrics are intelligent wise. Listen up!




Surreal, Braille and Ohmega Watts - Worlds Apart
http://www.zshare.net/audio/9847580a5b9fe3/

As soon as I found out Surreal, Braille and Ohmega Watts collaborated on an album together I knew I had to get my hands on it. Four Days In Geneva is filled with bangers but "Worlds Apart" is the track that grabbed my attention the most. I think everyone knows how it feels to be homesick, as do plenty of emcees in the hip hop industry. For anyone who has a bad case of homesickness this track is definitely one to reflect on. The beat is flawless and the lyrics are from the heart. Be sure to check this one out, positive hip hop at its best!




Del the funky Homosapien ft. K.U. - Last Hurrah
http://www.zshare.net/audio/98472663fa5d80/

Easy tiger. 11th hour is not the best album Del has released but in my opinion a few to many critics need to relax. I have been a huge fan of Del's work ever since I was 14. Del introduced me to many different genres of music and not to mention the infamous Hieroglyphics crew. There is no way I could ever bash Del for releasing an album that he felt was right. Del plays music that feels good, not because it sells. He is the first one to say his music is far from perfect, and I respect him for that and so should a lot of other heads out there. That being said Last Hurrah was a track that brought me back to the older Del and introduced me to the new and improved Del all at the same time. It features K.U. on both the lyrics and the production. Open your mind and check out some new Del.



Bluesky Blackdeath- Days are years
http://www.zshare.net/audio/9846837d60451f/

Nothing better than a 6 minute instrumental to start the day off. Bluesky Blackdeath are really bringing some fire to the game. The instrumentals from "A heap of broken images" are flawless. They bring more than hip hop to their beats and do a great job at keeping the listener entertained. Make sure you check their new album when it drops. I see big things happening for these guys in the future.




1773-constant motion
http://www.zshare.net/audio/9846165b283bf4/

Some more positive hip hop for your ears. Another solid hip hop duo out of Chicago IL. 1773 is the area code for Chicago as well. This album is very energetic and at the same time very soulful. Constant Motion is about finding your mission in life and pursuing your dreams. If only MTV and BET played more inspirational hip hop like 1773, im telling you if they did you would see big changes. Anyways, check it out and be sure to hit their myspace up!

http://www.myspace.com/wisdmoneandjustj




Dutchmassive ft. Surreal- Life lines
http://www.zshare.net/audio/984643239dcab3/

Are you a fan of crispy piano beats? Well your in for a treat. Life Lines is one of those tracks that I don't think I can ever get sick of. It is interesting to note that Dutchmassive is famous for his wild lyrics where as Surreal is better known for hisspiritual reference lyrics. Either way they both kill the track and the beat just makes it that much better. If you enjoy it as much as I did, grab the album.

The Boondocks - B.E.T Is Evil

Ive said it before and I will say it again, "The Boondocks" are the truth. This episode was banned from television because it exposes the truth about how B.E.T is ruining America. I can pretty much say the same for any music network.

Chicago Tribune

Chicago Tribune













Track Listing
1.Can You Hear Me
2.The Interview
3.Problems (ft. Scheme and Decay)
4.Broken Dreams
5.Panik Attack
6.Microphone Check
7.Life Aint Sweet (ft. Termanology)
8.No Patience
9.Light Em' Up
10.Impossible

http://sharebee.com/bac75005


As of today its been approximately two weeks since Astonish dropped "From Now Until Forever". So my question is why has this not been posted on the the big boy blogs out there that support real hip hop? I Know there is some other heads saying the same thing and the only answer I have for you is perhaps they just forgot. When I first glimpsed Astonish over at WYDU I was going crazy for the next couple of weeks reminding myself that the day was coming soon when I would be able to grip the album. There was also a lot of hype after people viewed "Can you hear me?" by Astonish where heads were even comparing him to a more advanced Lupe Fiasco. Coincidently both emcees are from Chicago where there has always been a lot of hidden talent. I cant cover every emcee who has come up from Chicago but I can sure name a few who I have come across as of lately..

Kaso vs. Kwote (One of the best battles I have seen in a while)




Jam One (Part of Top Notch Artist Crew) Beat kicker and Turntablist



Astonish (Molemen Crew) Can you hear me?



Visual (Signed to Rawkus 50) Blues From Chicago



Kid Static and Phero Tha Ill - Chicago Freestyle Cypher



Yea Big + Kid Static - The Life Here



Phero Tha Ill - Hip Hop Lives?



Qwel (One of the illest) and Jam one






GREETINGS FROM CHICAGO HIP HOP....

ILL SEE YOU THERE!

Rest In Peace

Thanks for everything you did for the hip hop culture.
May your soul rest in peace.