So this is an idea that’s been kicking around in my head for a while now. As I’m sure you all know by now, I used to love making mix tapes. I’m not talking about those DJ mix tapes though (which yes, I did enjoy making as well). No, I’m talking about those mix tapes that everyone could make; you didn’t need a mixer, turntables, the ability to beat match… all you needed was a cheap piece of machinery that could record on to a cassette tape. Well, that and some good music.
It’s no secret around these parts that I’m a big fan of Hip Hop and mashups, so this new project from producer “wait what” is rite in my wheel house. “The Notorious Xx” started with the producer’s desire to mash up Biggie’s classic “Juicy” with the Xx’s “VCR” and blossomed into a full 11 track album. Biggie’s raps would even sound good over my friend’s babies banging pots together, but they take on a different, mystic charm when laid over the mellow Xx beats.
Here are some of my favorite tracks of the album. Kick back and groove out to some blissful hip hop to start off your week. And if you like it be sure to head of to wait what’s official site to download the whole album for free. Oops, looks like wait what’s vision has recently been trampled by some corporate layers. If you want the full album drop me a comment and I’ll put up a link. Happy Monday!
Back in the day Mos Def was my great hope for bringing well thought out, clever, intelligent Hip Hop to the masses. He dropped that landmark Black Star album with Talib and followed it up “Black on Both Sides”, a Rawkus Records release that I, and well anyone else following such things, was sure was gonna propel Mos to new heights.
Well, it didn’t happen. The record was dud, sales wise, Rakus folded a few years later, and Mos Def never made another great album. More over he lost that fire in his raps, that unmistakable energy. I get it, Mos Def’s a multi-talented dude, he’s been acting, he’s been making garage rock, but man… it’s still disappointing when ever one of his new rap songs sounds like he literally rolled about of bed and into the studio. Enunciate Mos! Use those syllables. “YoyothisisMosDef, readytorockthemic, wellIwoudlbereadybutIhaven’tsleptforaweek”.
Anyway, producer Max Tannone captured that old school Mos Def creativity and fire and mashed them up with some classic reggae beats and *PRESTO*, we have Mos Def’s second great album! Here’s a couple of my favorite tracks from “Mos Dub”, and if you dig ‘em hop on over to Tannone’s site were you can download the whole album for free!
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