Once again, your weekly dose of Dilla breaks discussion arrives via producer/videographer/renaissance man Waajeed‘s “Bling 47 Breaks Dilla Edition.” This time out: DJ Dez – a/k/a, Andres, former turntable technician for Slum Village, and a great producer in his own right – discusses the sample source for SV’s much bootlegged track featuring Busta Rhymes, “The Hustle.” Don’t forget to hustle your fingers over to bling47.com for Waajeed’s notes on this story, and other good stuff. Peep the video, after the jump…
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Maker Studios presents an interview between two of L.A.’s finest, Murs and DJ Quik. Actually, maybe “interview” is too strong a word. Sure, Murs prepares a few basic questions, but this is more of a casual public conversation between two homies/some time collaborators who obviously share a healthy mutual respect. Not that it seems possible for Quik to come off as anything less than smart, funny, and insightful no matter who’s asking the questions – whether he’s talking vintage perms, describing the genius of Eazy-E on “Eazy Duz It” as Napoleonic, or recalling being honored with a student-tutor title at Compton Unified School District back in the day as a kid. Praise this man! Quik is still the name, people! Peep the vid, after the jump…
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Like so many of his fans, we were deeply saddened by the news of Adam Yauch’s passing after his battle with cancer. Not really in the mood to write, we went online and found some video clips of MCA and the Beastie Boys, which reflect the public evolution of Yauch’s personality – starting with his rowdy ’80s party animal phase to his good natured posturing as the eccentric auteur “Nathanial Hörnblowér” to the socially responsible, spiritually enlightened individual that eventually emerged. May he rest in peace, and may you enjoy this look back at some of Yauch’s various interviews and performances from over the years…
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File under: “2 x Kool.” In the latest edition of Noisey’s “The Rap Show,” one of the all-time greats, Kool Keith, sits down with Kool A.D. of Das Racist for the kind of sit-down interview Mike Wallace is surely above the clouds smiling down on right about now. Hard hitting questions asked over mimosas like, “What’s the name of the nastiest song title you ever did – released or unreleased?” (Answer: “I’m Pissin’ Hard”; Chorus: “I’m pissin’ hard on ‘em!”). Also, Keith’s opinion of drugs as source of musical inspiration, his thoughts on Lil B and Soulja Boy, and his future roles in horror films. Peep the investigative report, after the jump…
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The latest “Bling 47 Breaks Dilla Edition” episode features Illadelph’s finest, DJ Rich Medina. In addition to being a revered selector Rich is also renowned as a proponent of Afrobeat. Here he shares some insightful thoughts on the sample source for Dilla’s production of Common’s “Heat” – a track by Fela Afrika 70 drummer Tony Allen entitled “Asiko” – and the rhythmic similarities between Allen’s Afrobeat pulse and Jay Dee’s drum programming. Visit bling47.com for further details. Peep the video, after the jump…
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Alas, we missed Black Milk’s “Claps&Slaps” tour when it rolled through town earlier this year. Not to worry, though, cuz cameras captured some scenes from the road. Sponsored by Flud Watches, the “Backstage Pass” web series caught up with Black Milk out West as the Motor City-bred rapper/producer got strobe-y onstage in Santa Barbara, CA, then popped into world famous San Francisco record emporium, The Groove Merchant, for a perusal through the racks. Best record related moment: seeing Black’s manager introduce he and members of his band to the hidden surprise contained in the infamous John Lennon/Yoko Ono Two Virgins album jacket. Peep it, after the jump…
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New episode of Pitchfork.tv’s +1 series showcases Shabazz Palaces in a recent performance at S.O.B.’s in New York. The duo of Ishmael Butler and Tendai Maraire run through “Swerve… The reeping of all that is worthwhile (Noir not withstanding)” from the acclaimed Black Up platter (one of our favorites from last year). And in interspersed interview segments, the pair also mention unnamed “secret weapons” spontaneously deployed while adapting their material from the studio to the stage. It ain’t just for headphones, fam. Check it, after the jump…
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The “Crate Diggers” web series returns. This edition finds Fuse’s cameras focused on the record den/studio of the magnificent DJ Jazzy Jeff. As vinyl talk goes Jeff modestly maintains that he’s less of a hardcore collector than some. Yet he’s still got stories like the one about that digging trip to Pittsburgh with Kenny Dope and J Dilla when they bought so much stuff they could barely all fit in the car on the way home. Or those recollections of how he never ate lunch through his high school years so he could save his lunch money for records. Or how thinking back to the time he threw out a bunch of records he was keeping at his moms’ house gives him stomach pains. Also included: some history of meeting Will Smith at a house party back when he and Jeff were just starting out. Peep it all, after the jump…
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These ’90s Slammin’ Rap Video Magazine segments never cease to entertain, just take this revealing (in more ways than one) interview with Hoez Wit Attitude, which takes place prior to them signing to Eazy-E’s Ruthless Records. Damn near the whole session is a hip-hop quotable with H.W.A. defining the word “hoe” to mean business woman as well as citing some of their role models (Baby Girl bigs up Oprah Winfrey and notorious real estate tycoon Leona Helmsley while Jazz gives praise to Patti LaBelle. But it’s Diva D’s pick that stands out the most: “My #1 role model would definitely be my mother.”). Showing they have a sense of humor they pick “ho-ish” as an adjective to describe themselves and end things by saying they hope to tour with N.W.A, 2 Live Crew and Ray Charles in the near future.
PEEP H.W.A. IN BIKINIS BY THE POOL AFTER THE HUMP…
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Doo dooo doo do! Wu-Tang’s masterful producer/emcee RZA really had a blast getting into his masked Bobby Digital persona, perhaps no more so than in this interview on the program Blah Blah Rap, which aired on the French music channel MCM in the late ’90s. Host Parano-Refré (who conducts the interview in English) does a commendable job of keeping his cool as Bob Digi bugs out in his alter ego mode. For example, as the Q+A commences and he is greeted as “RZA,” Bobby quickly answers, “RZA? Where RZA at?” (Haha.) Catching on, Parano-Refré looks off camera and responds, “I’m sorry. I think [RZA]‘s goin’ to come on after.” The rest of the sit down finds Bobby comparing himself to Isaac Hayes, talking old school soundtracks for The Mack and Black Caesar and, in an unexpected turn, expressing his views on religion! Lord have mercy, this is one you got to peep for yourself.
CHECK OUT BOBBY DIGITAL AFTER THE DOO DOOO DOO DO…
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