Respected Rap Only

Freddie Gibbs - Str8 Killa No Filla mixtape!! Free Download

2010-07-29T23:17:00.000-07:00

Download: http://xxlmag.com/downloads/FG_Str8KillaNoFilla.zip

The best newcomer in the game. Yeah, I said it...download and see why. And I'm not bootleggin' his shit; it's a free mixtape courtesy of XXL.

-- WeX

Murder Mook vs. Party Arty (P-80): Classic Battle of the Day

2010-07-25T17:26:00.000-07:00

R.I.P. to Party Arty--he died a few years ago. You should know him from Big L's first album amongst other things. There's always some debate over who won this, but I'm sorry, Arty's clean rhyme scheme sealed the deal for me. Oh, and don't forget...

"When I was in Rikers / You was in diapers! / I was in cyphers / Rhymin with lifers!" - Party Arty

Yeah, winner = Party Arty.

-- WeX

Big L gets a memorial mural in Harlem (footage)

2010-07-24T11:57:00.001-07:00

Big Pun has his in The Bronx, and it's only right that Big L gets his in Harlem. Annecdotes from the likes of DJ Premier, Lord Finesse, Herb McGruff, & Stan Spit about their feelings on their man, Big L. Big L's eldest brother even says his peace. R.I.P. to one of the greatest to ever do it, Big L.

-- WeX

Tragedy Khadafi's first interview since prison release

2010-07-23T20:22:00.000-07:00

Welcome home Tragedy. If you aren't up on Tragedy Khadafi, there is something very wrong with that picture and I HIGHLY suggest that you fix that ASAP; he's one of the dopest artists to ever touch the microphone. Beneath the interview I've posted one of my favorite gems he's ever blessed, but that is by no means to suggest that he doesn't have others just as good or better. If you are a fan of Capone -N- Noreaga's classic debut album "The War Report", you owe Tragedy Khadafi a huge thank you.

-- WeX

Fat Joe has still got it... Primo KILLED this beat

2010-07-21T18:37:00.000-07:00

Joey Crack and DJ Premier haven't linked up in... shit... in a HOT minute from what I can remember (I don't be checking for Joe anymore, understandably). This is crack; Lord have mercy, Premier killed this beat. Oh yeah... peace to The Bronx!!

-- WeX

Freddie Gibbs

2010-07-15T14:09:00.000-07:00

Download: http://usershare.net/wexallah/mfbjhksbi8fm

Download: http://usershare.net/wexallah/0yf2e6of6kui

I recently got put on to this dude, and it's obvious that he is a fucking PROBLEM. Straight out of Indiana, his midwest style goes hard. He's got three mixtapes already out and an album on the way. Does he remind anyone else of Young Buck??

-- WeX

Bun B teams up with DJ Premier

2010-07-14T21:34:00.000-07:00

Download: http://usershare.net/wexallah/xozqzheb9fwu

I'd be lying if I said I saw this one coming. I'm not one for most southern artists, but Bun B is that dude, so recognize. R.I.P. Pimp C & Guru... UGK and Gangstarr for life.

-- WeX

Young Buck to 50 Cent: "I aint with none of that G-Unit reunion. If you want war we gonna go to war 'til somebody dies"

2010-07-04T19:27:00.000-07:00

I think it's safe to say Young Buck won't be attending any G-Unit reunion.

-- WeX

Game looking for G-Unit reunion

2010-07-04T19:24:00.000-07:00

Game screamin "G-G-G-G-G-Unit!"? Wouldn't mind seeing this happen. When these dudes were all united, they were straight killing it. Damn, that seems like forever ago.

-- WeX

Platini - Broward County's up-and-coming

2010-06-24T12:37:00.000-07:00

Broward Speaks : Platini from OneTwo Media Group on Vimeo.

My comrade Platini has been fucking with this rap shit since we were just some youngsters. His talent speaks for itself so be on the steady look out for him, he's a beast! The boy has been a monster in them streets for just as long as he has been a monster on that mic. Oh, and R.I.P. to a 36th respresenter to the fullest Jason AKA Jae AKA Trax. Wish you were still here in the physical.

-- WeX

Beanie Sigel Dissing Jay-Z, Memphis Bleek; says Drake can get smacked too.

2010-06-24T11:15:00.000-07:00

Once again, Beans going in on Hova and pulling his card. Wait a second, Drake has been taking subliminals at the Broad Street Bully too?? Say it aint so.

-- WeX

Fabolous Linked to Murder of other Rapper

2010-06-14T19:22:00.000-07:00

News Story: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2010/06/13/2010-06-13_cops_eye_fabolous_tie_to_slay_on_vid_leaving_scene_before_shooting.html

Never heard of G-Baby, but apparently he's a rapper from Fabolous' neighborhood (Bed Stuy, Brooklyn). The two had a longstanding beef (that is said to have been squashed), and apparently Fab was caught on surveillance leaving the same club where the murder was to take place shortly afterward. Let's hope it is just a coincidence. In any case, R.I.P. to the victim.

-- WeX

Old "The Source" Mic Ratings/Reviews of Classic Albums

2010-06-11T22:10:00.001-07:00

This is a nice look back into the Hip-Hop vault. It's dope to revisit what critics had to say about these albums at the time of release. I'll be adding more of these overtime. Enjoy.

Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the 36 Chambers

http://pressrewind.files.wordpress.com/2007/02/wutang_source294.jpg

The Notorious B.I.G. - Ready to Die

http://pressrewind.files.wordpress.com/2007/03/biggie_source1094.jpg

Nas - Illmatic

http://pressrewind.files.wordpress.com/2007/02/nas_source494.jpg

Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx

http://pressrewind.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/raekwon_source995.jpg

Mobb Deep - The Infamous...

http://pressrewind.files.wordpress.com/2007/03/mobb_source695.jpg

Group Home - Livin' Proof

http://blownyourmind.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/grouphome_source1295.jpg

NOTE: Enter the 36 Chambers, Ready to Die, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, and The Infamous... were eventually reassessed and given a perfect 5-mic rating. Livin' Proof was never given a 5-mic rating, and rightfully so, but it is an excellent album with some of DJ Premier's finest production to date. It's definitely an underground NYC classic.

-- WeX

Naughty by Nature is back with FIRE! (new song/video)

2010-06-09T09:53:00.000-07:00

Hopefully this isn't a one-hitter-quitter, because we could use these dudes back in the game. They obviously still got it.

-- WeX

DMX -- VH1 Behind the Music

2010-06-08T22:50:00.000-07:00

brand new AZ - Feel My Pain (Music Video)

2010-06-07T21:39:00.000-07:00

Safe to say he absolutely killed this. Video's not too shabby either.

-- WeX

DJ Premier is STILL the best doing it

2010-06-07T20:17:00.000-07:00

Download: http://usershare.net/wexallah/b3h43sf5faer

Download: http://usershare.net/wexallah/vdse37dqfgrh

Every so often I'll see some cornmuffin talking about how DJ Premier has fallen off in recent years and I become lost for words. It's sad that I even have to make such an obvious point that DJ Premier is still, hands down, the best doing it. Here are three tracks he's done in recent years that will knock your socks off. I honestly could post dozens and dozens more, but it will take up too much room on the blog. So I'll leave you with these three. SMH... it's like it's peoples' job to hate these days.

-- WeX

Rare Joint of the Day: DMX - Tales From the Darkside

2010-06-07T15:46:00.000-07:00

Download: http://usershare.net/wexallah/1b4m84ya8qe6
If you wish DMX could pull off another album as dope as It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, don't hold your breath, but this song is as good as any track on that album. Circa 2000 off "The Murderers" compilation album presented by Irv Gotti, this is primetime DMX, and it's a shame this track was so slept on. A grimey beat from Lil' Rob accompanied by hard lyrics and DMX's ferocious delivery, this one is an underground classic. Enjoy.

-- WeX

Drake Acting VERRRY Suspect

2010-06-07T15:42:00.000-07:00

It's no shock that Drake is feeling Lil' Wayne, but this is a little much for my standards. The pink Juicy Couture jacket doesn't help.

-- WeX

Canibus links up with DJ Premier

2010-06-07T15:40:00.000-07:00

Lord have mercy, DJ Premier murdered this beat (as usual). Given the caliber of Canibus' skills, ill production was all he ever needed, so we can only ask one question: What took so long?

-- WeX

Bumpy Knuckles - Put the Beats On'M (prod. Statik Selektah)

2010-06-07T15:37:00.000-07:00

Download: http://usershare.net/wexallah/mysezsdcr798

This track is about a month old, but it's worth posting. Statik Selektah murked this beat. Sounds like a Super NES sample...Zelda?? Anyway, Freddie Foxx aka Bumpy Knuckles brings heat over this one. Maybe Guru's death ignited something in him.

-- WeX

Raekwon feat. Mobb Deep - Road to Riches

2010-06-07T15:31:00.000-07:00

Download: http://usershare.net/wexallah/wccrozcfnayv

This is what it’s all about—three of New York’s greatest teaming up over a hardbody beat. This is the kind of sound that should be coming out of New York, not that other fruity cornball noise. Did I mention Chinky from Queensbridge laces the chorus? Cop that new Raekwon mixtape, "Cocainism Vol. 2".

-- WeX

Shyheim - Dust Juice (best video in a longgg time)

2010-06-07T15:20:00.000-07:00

Download: http://usershare.net/wexallah/zjzzsivrl5mt

This song is a certified banger, and the video is madd gritty. For those who haven't peeped this yet, you're welcome. Oh yeah, stay away from that PCP.

-- WeX

Welcome to R.R.O.

2010-06-07T15:15:00.000-07:00

To all readers,

Peace, and welcome to the blog. There are plenty of Hip-Hop outlets on the internet, so it is likely important for you to know whether or not this site is for you. In deciding that, you probably need to assess the credibility of him who will be channeling the forthcoming news, insights, and opinions—the author…me. Rather than waste your time, I’ll give it to you straight. The majority of the rap music I listen to ranges between 1994 and 2004. That’s not, by any means, to suggest that I won’t listen to a classic ‘88 album like “The Great Adventures of Slick Rick”. Likewise, that’s not, by any means, to suggest that I won’t listen to a classic ’09 album like “Born and Raised”. In my opinion, dope music these days is a rarity, but it is far from extinct. That's the point of this blog. I’m not an expert, and I don’t know it all. Anyone who suggests to be so shouldn’t be taken seriously. I do know a great deal though, and I certainly know what I do like and what I don’t like. I’m feeling originality. I’m feeling boom-bap beats. I’m feeling complex flows. I’m feeling lyrics with substance. I’m feeling MCs with rhythm. I’m not feeling copycat choruses. I’m not feeling childish lyrics. I’m not feeling noisy-ass beats. I'm not feeling music without a cause (other than financial gain). I’m not feeling this newer, dumbed-down sound. I love a dope sample in the beat. I can’t stand a loud blow-horn in the beat. I love music with a message, not a gimmick. I love music for the art, not for the money. Music with soul is that music you feel. Music with sounds is that music you hear. Know the difference. I’m open-minded, and always looking to expand my catalogue. I’d be honored to help expand yours.

Peace,

WeX Allah