Underground HipHop: New Releases

From his outrageous live shows to his undeniable ability to out rap anybody alive, R.A. The Rugged Man has become one of the most exciting artists in hip hop history. Although he's only released one album in his 18-year career, he has recorded hundreds of songs with some of the biggest names in the game. Since many of these songs were never commercially available, R.A. decided to compile them for his fans in Legendary Classics. This album features Notorious B.I.G., Mobb Deep, Kool G Rap, Bucwild, Ayatollah, Jedi Mind Tricks, Sadat X, Akinyele, Tragedy, J-Live and others. The limited-edition collection comes with track by track commentary by R.A. and a bonus DVD full of live performances, interviews and music videos.

Download  Legendary Classics Volume 1

He 's been called a prophet, an innovator, a poet; whichever you prefer, the emcee known as Killah Priest is certainly one of the most vivid lyricists in Hip Hop. Priest first entranced listeners on the classic track "B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth)" on GZA's seminal debut LP Liquid Swords. Since then Priest has continued to enthrall devotees of true Hip Hop with his lush imagery, graphic storytelling and razor-sharp rhymes. Now the Rap veteran and Wu affiliate returns with "Elizabeth (Introduction To The Psychic)". Priest delivers a solid full length of head nodders sure to satisfy Wu-Tang fans worldwide all while staying true to his spiritual side and his firm belief in the power of Hip Hop. "Elizabeth" is the first release on Priest's own Proverb Records. Production on "Elizabeth" is handled by frequent Killah Priest collaborator DJ Woool.

With all the talk that hip-hop is dead, there's no better example than Fashawn to prove that it's certainly alive, well and being fed to a hungry new generation of hip-hop fans. And after listening to just 16 bars it's evident that Fashawn is one of the hungriest. He's a prodigal son, part of a new generation of emcees lucky enough to

grow up in hip-hop's golden era. He's not an '80s baby; he's a '90s baby. Think about that for a second. Then think about his potential.

Hailing from Fresno, California, Fashawn has all the charisma of a modern-day emcee and the rhyming chops of a veteran beyond his years. For a 20-year-old, his raw talent, songwriting ability and versatility, is...well, it's phenomenal.

Recognized already as a leader in Central California's hip hop scene, steering a vibrant pack of young artists with his innovative style and originality in his music, Fashawn is more than ready to take on the world with his debut album Boy Meets World. Produced entirely by Los Angeles native Exile, Boy Meets World is just a story about a kid growing up, explains Fashawn. It's my story, it's very honest, it's very in depth. So whatever you thought you knew about me, listen to this and you ll really get a good look at who I am. It's going to be classic.

The Legendary underground hip-hop artist MF DOOM digs into his vast archives to mix together some of his all-time favorite productions, collaborations and guest appearances. Whether it be along side legends like De La Soul, Talib Kweli or Ghostface, DOOM shows why (as a producer or MC) he is one of the most in demand artists in music today. If that weren t enough DOOM also decided to include in this collection some rare tracks that have never been commercially available before.

Download Unexpected Guests [Explicit]

The Legendary New York MCs, O.C. & A.G. return once again to quench the thirst of hip-hop fans worldwide. The album, refreshingly titled, OASIS, is executive produced by Show (of Showbiz & AG fame) and features stellar production by Show, Lord Finesse, E. Blaze, and Statik Selektah. O & A, longtime friends and crewmates, first collaborated together on the classic track "Weed & Drinks" and ever since then talked about doing a whole album together. "Its was organic cause the chemistry was also so crazy, explains OC. "The whole process was really pure and from the heart and hip-hop fans are gonna love it!", says AG about their new album.

With a combined 10+ albums under their belt, its amazing how the guys stay relevant after all these years. A.G. explains, "For me, it's the passion, when you're passionate about something, you stay inspired, through the good and the bad". When speaking about the significance of the album title OASIS, O.C adds "It's 2009 and both AG and myself have something new and fresh to offer. Fans have been searching for something like this for a long time and finally here it is

There is definitely something to be said for the magnanimous impact of two legends teaming up, in no uncertain terms, to do work. With both of their reputations firmly solidified in the annals of hip-hop, true O.G.s Masta Ace and Edo. G have joined forces to show these wet-behind-the-ears rookies how it goes, with the release of Arts & Entertainment. The aggressive “Hands High” lets all competition know that the two vets haven’t lost a step, as Edo. G spits lines like “We cowboy these rappers like Tony Romo.” The soul-sampling “Reminds Me” is a mellow track that sees the two reminiscing on how long they’ve made a name for themselves in the game, while the monumental “Pass The Mic” (featuring KRS-One) is a history lesson on wax if there’s ever been one. Trading verbal venom on the aforementioned track, Ace, Edo, and KRS are in rare form, with each of their verses sounding as crisp as they ever have. With a fire rarely seen, even in artists half their age, and hard-hitting production from the likes of DJ Spinna and M-Phazes, Arts & Entertainment is one of the hardest records to come out in a while and is sure to be a favorite of anyone who reminisces fondly of the days of the boom-bap.

After making their indelible marks on the game luminaries KRS-One and Buckshot, arguably two of the games most prolific emcees, will link up to give fans a collaborative album entitled SURVIVAL SKILLS.

With guests ranging from Mary J. Blige, Slug Of Atmosphere, K'NAAN, Talib Kweli, Immortal Technique, Melanie Fiona, Naledge of Kidz In The Hall, Sean Price, Geo of Blue Scholars, Pharoahe Monch, Bounty Killer, Smif N Wessun and Rock of Heltah Skeltah, "Survival Skills" represents a diverse range of topics, all while maintaining a consistent sound. The album has production from Havoc of Mobb Deep, 9th Wonder, Black Milk, ILL MIND, Coptic, Moss, Nottz, Marco Polo, and KHRYSIS!

On the surface the album is a testament to the resiliency of two lyrical titans, but at its root SURVIVAL SKILLS is a blueprint for life. For instance on the infectious head-nodder "Robot," which was released 6 weeks prior to Jay Z's "The Death Of Auto Tune" track, and already available World Wide at Digital Retail Shops, such as iTunes, the duo speak-out against the recent overuse of the Auto-Tune vocal effect in urban music, but under the surface the message is much deeper. "I don't want people to get the averaged clichéd version and thinking that we're dissing people,'" Buckshot clarifies. "What we're calling out here is the biters, the people that feel like because this guy sold X amount of records doing this, that I'm going to turn around and do it as well," KRS says of the array of artists who have followed in the creative footsteps of Roger Troutman, Afrikka Bambatta, Teddy Riley and T-Pain. Despite its heavy message, sonically the track, produced by Mobb Deep's Havoc, is as inviting as anything on the radio today. The video for "ROBOT," directed by Todd Angkaswan, has been added into rotation at MTV & BET. The track has also been included in the sound track for Activision's upcoming Tony Hawk skate game in stores this Fall.

Still gritty tracks like "Clean Up," featuring Rock of Heltah Skeltah and the politically minded "Running Away" featuring Immortal Technique, make Survival Skills a Hip-Hop fan's dream, catering to those that love lyrics and the boom-bap. Equally as rich is the album's Black Milk-produced track, "The Way I Live" featuring the Queen of hip-hop soul, Mary J. Blige. Together they create a triumphant anthem for all those on the grind trying to conquer their dreams. The song's summery feel and soothing melodies make it an instant hit.

With over 60,000 units sold of his 2007 critically acclaimed album The Undisputed Truth, Brother Ali returns with Us. As with his previous releases, Ali's musical landscape has been created by Atmosphere beatsmith, Ant. Staying true to their soul and blues influence they've become known for, Us takes on a more lush and dense sonic quality with the duo's incorporation of live instrumentation. With guest appearances by Chuck D, Freeway, Joell Ortiz and Stokley Williams of Mint Condition, Brother Ali and Ant have once again crafted a beautifully intelligent and entertaining album for all of Us.

A rapper's rapper. It s a phrase that has been used to describe the best of them. This respect that Ryan Montgomery, aka Royce Da 5 9, has earned amongst his peers has been ten years in the making. Though he began his career at a time when these qualities were still abundant in the rap game, Royce is the last of a dying breed in 2009. He is one of the few artists today to put the quality of his music above everything else, choosing to opt for perfection over conforming to an overcrowded genre of mediocrity. Now, in an age where hip-hop s drought has forced the audience to weed out the nonsense and search for the answer to a dull and uneventful art form, Royce returns with Street Hop, his full-length rescue mission to show MCs how it is supposed to be done. Executive produced by DJ Premier, Street Hop is Royce s most personal project to date.

With years of working along side some of the most influential figures in the recording industry to date, Raekwon is ready to reemerge his urban flair with the sequel to Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II features cameos from many industry heavyweights such as the Wu-Tang Clan, Jadakiss Styles P, and many others. It also features blazing tracks from the who's who of extraordinary Hip-Hop producers such as the RZA, Eric Sermon, Dr Dre, Scram Jones, Pete Rock, Marley Marl, Allah Mathematics and J-Dilla. Then, it's layered with Raekwon's melodic flows and street oriented delivery. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II will produce the dish that true Hip Hop Fans have been salivating for many years.

Download Only Built 4 Cuban Linx [Explicit]

Release from the underground Hip Hop sensation. Taking the things in a direction seldom seen, songs on K.O.D. seethe with truth, aggression and brutal honesty. Tech N9ne has always been, in his words 'inside out'. He puts himself fully into his music and his fans can definitely relate. He doesn't tell stories, he recounts his life- with songs like 'Blackened The Sun' and 'Leave Me Alone', he lets his music open the door to his struggles and successes as well as his hopes and fears. K.O.D. will definitely let the inside out as it provides another window into the mind of Tech N9ne. K.O.D. features guest appearances from such notable lyrical heavyweights as Three 6 Mafia, Brotha Lynch Hung and King Gordy as well as Krizz Kaliko, Kutt Calhoun and Big Scoob.

-The MC-Master of Ceremony, or how Rakim put it 'Move the Crowd'.That is, he literaly moves the crowd.

-An MC can verbally turn the show or party out whether or not they have a little or a lot of rhymes to say.

-A true MC benefits and manifest his or her own creative MC styles not only from Hip Hop, but from other multiple music and non music creative forms, for example Jazz, Rock & Roll, Bee Bop, Rock, Heavy metal, R&B, Classic R&B, Comedy, TV Shows, etc.

-A true MC never bites.

-A true MC would never publicly beneath his or herself to no one; For example, an MC would never say ¡V I¡¦m not as good as so & so, but I come close. MCs give props, and that's it.

-An MC has respect for the old school-The real old school.

-An MC doesn't have to get too personal to win a battle.

-A true MC is politically and consciously aware, and can or will put it in a rhyme.

- An MC is very diverse in style-originality and flow-versatility.

-An MC doesn't need a lot of promotional and marketing propaganda hype to be admired.

-An MC can drop rhymes over multiple beats without pause.

-An MC never runs out of ideas.

-An MC can pass the Mic to others in an MC verse.

-A true MC cannot be defined or put under any category but DOPE.

-A Rapper often bites from others.

-A Rapper has very little love or respect for the old school-The real old school.

-A Rapper is only about getting paid no matter what the cost financially or morally.

-A Rapper is often politically unaware and is very unconscious of the effects of their ignorant lyrics.

-True Rappers say things in their rhymes to mislead others from getting into the music business. Rappers have fear of the competition, that's why they mislead you. Example-'I sold drugs to get to get in'. This helps no one but the cops and our government.

-Rappers only can rap about the same thing other Rappers are rapping about. Same story just flipped a different way.

-Rappers only lyrically benefit off rap music, that's why creativity is very low.

-Most Rappers have no show or performance skill at all. Rappers often grab their balls and walk left and right across the stage shouting and pointing into the crowed 95% of the duration of the show.

-Rappers need a lot of marketing/Video hype to be recognized and admired.

-Rappers categorized themselves as  Hard Core, Gangster, commercial, etc.

-A Rapper can't battle without getting real personal.

-A Rapper has no love or respect for the game or his or her own people.


Not anyone can be an MC, but anyone can be a Rapper. The truth is 'all Rappers are limited and they often know that they are WACK!! Souja Boy wuld tell u "I can make a million sayin nothin on the track" listen to 'This is why am Hot'

Skyzoo was  born Gregory Skyler Taylor in 1982 in Crown Heights. He began rapping at the age of nine and went on to work with producers Jay Dee and 9th Wonder, releasing several mixtapes in the hope of securing a record deal. He lost to Jin on BET's 106 & Park freestyle contest, but went on to have tracks used as both the theme to ESPN's Whiplash TV and the soundtrack to a Guinness advert, and set up his own Custom Made Entertainment company.
Skyzoo worked with with 9th Wonder on his debut album, Present Cloud 9: The 3 Day High, which reputedly took only three days to record. He also contributed to three tracks on the Hall of Justus album Soldiers of Fortune.
He released the critically-acclaimed Corner Store Classic mixtape in 2007. And now In 2009, he has released The Salvation It courtesy Duck Down Records. This is an album that every hip hop heads should check out; it covers every aspect of life in a wise poetic way.

Get The Salvation Album