The Ultimate J Rock Post

Before we get started none of this would have been possible if not for the incredible work TheBigSleep has put into this post. If you want crazy images, mp3s and more info about this then click here. Take a moment to say thanks once you're done reading and downloading. --Philaflava

Discography
Biography
Press

J Rock with a Porsche in Poughkeepsie, New York (1991):


“This is like the Amerikkka’s Most Wanted of the New York ghetto. Probably one of the most gangsta albums in sound that we’ve heard… the fact that this came out in 1991 simply shows its brilliance further.” Chris Aylen – Spine Magazine

In 1989, an nineteen year old MC from Newburgh, NY named J Rock was discovered by independent label owner Jeff Murphy. Shortly thereafter, the two would collaborate, along with upstart producers DJ Premier & Easy Mo Bee to produce a memorable album called Streetwize. Actually, J Rock had released a 12” single entitled The Chosen One prior to releasing Streetwize in early 1990 on Murphy’s Ghetto Groovz Label. Moderately received by the hip hop community, it got some airplay on various hip hop and college radio stations. After the single, J Rock knew he needed to improve his skills, so he put together a homemade studio and went to work. “The Chosen One was a wake up call, it showed me that I was not ready and that I had to work on my skills” recalled J Rock. “I had to prove to Jeff that I was ready to put in the time and commitment that it would take to make it work.”

While working on his lyrical skills, J Rock also discovered that he had talent producing tracks. “After we did The Chosen One, Jeff got Premier and Mo Bee to do some tracks for me and the other artists he had on the label. While we were in the studio, I watched Premier and I learned from him how to put together tracks.” J Rock took what he learned into the studio and put together a demo that he eventually sent in to The Source Magazine. He was featured in the Unsigned Hype column of the December 1990 issue. It stated that “this is the type of shit you’d hear at a battle in a playground and this is the type of MC that might walk away with the belt”. After the feature, Murphy and J Rock along with DJ Big Chris went back into the studio to complete the album.

The eighteen track album contained tales of daily life in the ghetto and ultimately became a critical success, receiving many positive reviews, including a glowing review in The Bomb Hip Hop newsletter in which it was given four stars. Two videos, Save the Children and Neighborhood Drug Dealer were produced for the album. They were shown on Yo! MTV Raps and other rap video shows. The album has become a collectors item, with people paying top dollar for an original copy. The lasting appeal of Streetwize showed itself again in July 2006 when a story about the album appeared in Wax Poetics. J Rock explains the continued interest, “I think that real hip hop heads know what time it is, they know what’s good and what’s not and they appreciate Streetwize for what it is, real hardcore simplistic hip hop, you don’t hear this kinda stuff anymore."

J Rock – The Source's Unsigned Hype Demo Tape - 1990 (192 CBR)

01. Intro
02. The Messiah (Demo Version)
03. Let's Get It Together (Demo Version)
04. Streetwize (Demo Version)
05. Cazanova (Demo Version)
06. Neighborhood Drug Dealer (Demo Version)
07. Outro

J Rock – Streetwise 15th Anniversary Edition - 1991 (V2 / VBR)

01. Let Me Introduce Myself (Co-produced by Easy Mo Bee & J Rock)
02. Under Arrest (Produced by J Rock)
03. Streetwize (Produced by J Rock)
04. Butality (Co-produced by DJ Premier & J Rock)
05. The Pimp (Produced by DJ Premier, Scratches by DJ Premier)
06. The Shakedown (Produced by J Rock)
07. Neighborhood Drug Dealer (Produced by J Rock)
08. Don't Sleep On Me (Produced by J Rock)
09. Root of All Evil (Produced by J Rock)
10. The Messiah (Produced by J Rock)
11. Ghetto Law (Produced by DJ Premier, Scratches by DJ Premier)
12. Around My Way (Produced by J Rock)
13. The Real One (Co-produced by DJ Premier & J Rock)
14. Another Tough Guy (Produced by J Rock, Bass by Shlomo Sonnenfeld)
15. Dead (Produced by J Rock)
16. Save the Children (Produced by J Rock)
17. Cazanova (Produced by J Rock)
18. Let's Get It Together (Produced by J Rock)
19. Get Rek (Produced by Easy Mo Bee)
20. Neighborhood Drug Dealer Remix (Produced by DJ Premier)
21. Don't Sleep On Me Remix (Co-produced by DJ Big Chris & Jeff Murphy)
22. Save the Children Remix (Produced by J Rock)

J Rock – Streetwise 15th Anniversary Edition Instrumentals (256 CBR)

01. Let Me Introduce Myself (Instrumental)
02. Streetwize (Instrumental)
03. Brutality (Instrumental)
04. Neighborhood Drug Dealer (Instrumental)
05. Don't Sleep On Me (Instrumental)
06. The Messiah (Instrumental)
07. Around My Way (Instrumental)
08. The Real One (Instrumental)
09. Another Tough Guy (Instrumental)
10. Save the Children (Instrumental)
11. Cazanova (Instrumental)
12. Get Rek (Instrumental)
13. Save the Children (Remix Instrumental)

J Rock – Save the Children:




Ghetto Groovz Collection (80 CBR)

01. MCM - Get Hyped
02. MCM - Young & Ambitious
03. J Rock - No Pain
04. J Rock - The Chosen One
05. J Rock - The Chosen One (Chosen Mix)
06. J Rock - Save the Children Remix
07. J Rock - Get Rek
08. J Rock - Neighborhood Drug Dealer (Gettin' Paid Remix)
09. J Rock - Neighborhood Drug Dealer (DJ Premier Boombox Jeep Mix)
10. J Rock - Don't Sleep On Me Remix

This isn't even half of the original post. Check out the thread for more info and shouts out to TheBigSleep, BigLOnline, FileUnderDope, HSPussy, Press Rewind and the DJ Premier blogspot all for making this post possible.

Freshly Ripped From The Crates

After finally figuring out how to rip from Vinyl to Mp3, I started ripping a few rarities from my own collection. I will be posting a few 12"s from now on focusing on VLS that haven't been ripped on any other blog. Let me start by reviewing these 3 12"s that I will share with you. Oh, if you want to start ripping 12"s, just buy this cable from RadioShack, you don't need to buy a usb turntable if you already got the ones and twos...

A1. Daily Basis (Radio Edit)
A2. Daily Basis (Uncut Version)
A3. Daily Basis (Instrumental)
A4. Daily Basis (Clean Acappella)
B1. Street Life (Daily Basis Remix) (Radio Version)
B2. Street Life (Daily Basis Remix) (Uncut Version)
B3. Street Life (Daily Basis Remix) (Instrumental)
Download

My first treat comes straight from the land of Brooklyn, NY. The Ranjahz , consisting of duo Haph & Wais, released their first wax in 1996. The A-Side(Called Troy Ave. Side) features four versions of "Daily Basis", a track produced by legendary Big Jaz. The B-Side (Called Utica Ave. Side) is the remix version of Daily Basis titled "Street Life". While it's titled as a remix, it features new lyrics as well as a new beat by DJ Clark Kent. Both tracks were recorded at D&D Studios. The Ranjahz would later get a deal with Roc-A-Fella and be part of Team ROC. They would also drop their first album in 2003 titled "Who Feels It Knows".

A1. Reality (It's Clean)
A2. 360° (Circles Remix / Clean)
A3. 360° (Circles Remix / Dirty)
A4. 360° (Instrumental)
B1. Circles (Clean)
B2. Circles (Instrumental)
B3. Softest Nigg*s In N.Y. (Clean)
B4. Softest Nigg*s In N.Y. (Dirty)
Download


This next single is from 3rd Eye Aka Jesse West. It was released on Sure Shot Recordings in 1997. The first track is titled "Reality", it's my favorite track of the four. It samples the first part of Bob Marley's Burnin & Lootin'. The energy 3rd Eye brings on the track is incredible! The next track is 360°. You can hear 3rd Eye sampling Milt Jackson's Enchanted Lady, same sample from Large Professor's Ijuswannachill. Both of these tracks were featured on 3rd Eye's solo album "Planets" though. Next we have the exclusives that weren't released anywhere except on the 12". Circle is another great laid-back track. Then you have "Softest Nigg*s In N.Y.", a hard grimey N.Y. type of hip-hop song. It features duo 730 and additional verse by 3rd Eye.

A1. Mary J. Blige - (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
B2. Herb Mcgruff - I Know We Can Do It

Download







Here's a promo 12" that was released to promote the soundtrack of New York Undercover. It has one track on both sides; an RnB one and a hip hop one. The A-Side features a cover of Aretha Franklin's "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" done by Mary J. Blige. It is produced by Jason Mtume. Now, the b-side is the reason why I bough this 12". It features Harlem's Herb Mcgruff on his first solo appearance on wax in "I Know We Can Do It". It is produced by Mcgruff's mentor Heavy D as well as co-produced by Bad-Boy heavyweight Easy Mo Bee.

-- Thomas V

Easy Mo Bee Career Retrospective

Happy New Year!

And now, back to business.

ThomasV recently alerted me to news that the producers of the upcoming flick about Notorious B.I.G. (cleverly titles Notorious) have "unceremoniously withdrawn" their offer to have Easy Mo Bee score the film. Even more insultingly, Easy Mo won't even portrayed in the film, even though he was instrumental in jumpstarting Biggie's early professional recording career and produced nearly half of the tracks on Ready To Die.

Now, we all know that this movie is going to suck anyhow. That's besides the point. Easy Mo Bee is one of hip-hop's most prolific and respected producers. Before he even worked with Biggie he had already recorded an album with Miles Fucking Davis. The younger generation has been deprived of an opportunity to learn about one of hip-hop's most accomplished musicians, and Ving Rhames' agent should be fired for sleeping on the job.

Although Easy Mo has said that he will not be seeking monetary retribution of any kind, let it be know that T.R.O.Y. still got your back, baby par. When this news broke, I immediately posted at the Forum and within a few days, our resident mp3 excavationists Ho1ogramz and Thomas V unearthed at least 90% of the man's discography, which we are sharing with you today! The downloads reflect the order in which the uploaders found the material, nothing else.

All you have to do is download, listen, enjoy, and BOYCOTT THIS WACK-ASS MOVIE when it comes out. -- Thun

Easy Mo Bee Discography @ Discogs

Easy Mo Bee Official Website

Easy Mo Bee Volume One [Click To Download]

2Pac "If I Die 2Nite"

2Pac "Temptations"

2pac "My Block"

2Pac Featuring Notorious B.I.G. "Runnin' From The Police"

3rd Bass "Gladiator" (Easy Mo Bee Remix)

3rd Bass "Gladiator" (Easy Mo Bee Remix Instrumental)

Afu-Ra "Hip-Hop"

Afu-Ra "Perverted Monks"

Afu-Ra "Readjustment"

Alicia Keys "If I Was Your Woman"

Big Daddy Kane "Brooklyn Style ... Laid Out"

Big Daddy Kane "That's How I Did 'Em"

Big Daddy Kane "The Way It's Goin' Down"

Big Daddy Kane "Stop Shammin'"

Big Daddy Kane "Rest In Peace"

Big Daddy Kane "Here Comes Kane, Scoob & Scrap"

Big Daddy Kane "'Nuff Respect" (Remix)

Big Scoob "Niggaz Can't Hang" (vocal)

Big Scoob "Booty Bandit" (Dirty)

Big Scoob "Suckaz Can't Hang" (Live Freestyle w/ BDK @ Madison Sq. Garden)

Biggie Smalls "Party And Bullshit" (Album Version)

Biggie Smalls "Party And Bullshit" (Instrumental)

Biggie, Bone Thugs N Harmony, Buckshot, Busta Rhymes, Coolio, Heltah Skeltah, Ill Al Skratch, Jamal, Knowledge, Menace Clan, Redman "The Points"

Black Rob "Whoa" (Easy Mo Bee Remix)

Busta Rhymes "It's A Party"

Busta Rhymes "Everything Remains Raw"

Big Scoob "Niggaz Can't Hang"

Easy Mo Bee Volume Two [Click To Download]

Channel Live "Reprogram" (Easy Mo Bee Remix)

Chubb Rock "Games We Play"

Chubb Rock "I Am What I Am"

Craig Mack "Get Down" (Club Mix)

Craig Mack ft. Busta Rhymes, LL Cool J, Notorious B.I.G., Rampage "Flava In Ya Ear" (Easy Mo Bee Remix)

Das Efx "Knockin' Niggaz Off"

Das Efx "Microphone Master"

Das Efx "40 & A Blunt"

Das Efx "Alright"

Das Efx "Hold It Down"

GZA "Life Of A Drug Dealer"

GZA "The Genius Is Slammin'"

GZA "Those Were The Days"

GZA "Living Foul"

GZA "Drama"

GZA "Words From The Genius"

GZA "Phony As You Wanna Be"

GZA "Stop The Nonsense"

GZA "True Fresh M.C."

GZA "Feel The Pain"

Heavy D and the Boyz "Check It Out"

Ill Al Skratch "Chill With That" (Easy Mo Bee Radio Mix)

Jamal "Live Illegal"

Jamal ft. Redman "Insane Creation"

King Just "No Flows On The Radio"

Easy Mo Bee Volume Three [Click To Download]

Lady Of Rage "Necessary Roughness"

Lady of Rage "Breakdown"

Little Shawn "Check It Out Ya'll" (LP Version)

Little Shawn "Check It Out Ya'll" (Instrumental)

LL Cool J "Pink Cookies" (remix)

LL Cool J "Life As..."

Lost Boyz "Jeeps, Lex Coupes, Bimaz & Benz"

Negrow League "The World Is Not Enough"

Public Enemy "Ain't Nuttin' Buttersong"

Public Enemy "I Stand Accused"

Rakim "Shades Of Black" (O.G. Radio Edit)

Ras Kass "Grindin'"

Ras Kass Featuring RZA "End"

Slick Rick "Cuz It's Wrong"

Tha Alkaholiks "Likwidation"

Tha Alkaholiks "Aww Shit"

The Notorious B.I.G. "Gimme The Loot"

The Notorious B.I.G. "Machine Gun Funk"

The Notorious B.I.G. "Warning"

The Notorious B.I.G. "Ready To Die"

The Notorious B.I.G. "The What"

The Notorious B.I.G. "Friend Of Mine"

Thug Life 'Str8 Ballin'"

Wu Tang Clan "Take It Back"

Easy Mo Bee Volume Four [Click To Download]

Big Daddy Kane "Calling Mr. Welfare"

Big Daddy Kane "Another Victory"

Big Daddy Kane "Very Special"

Biggie Smalls "Going Back To Cali"

Candy Dulfer "Sax-A-Go-Go"

Craig Mack "What I Need"

Craig Mack "Judgement Day"

Craig Mack "When God Comes"

Crystal Waters "Listen For My Beep"

Heavy D & The Boyz "Black Coffee"

IAM "Planete Mars" (Easy Mo Bee Mix)

IAM "Tam Tam De L'Afrique" (Easy Mo Bee Mix)

King Just "Can I get Some"

Lost Boyz "Lifestyles Of The Rich And Shameless"

Lost Boyz "This Is Da Part"

Lost Boyz "Lifestyles Of The Rich And Shameless (Remix)

Notorious B.I.G. Featuring Jay-Z "I Love The Dough"

Easy Mo Bee Volume Five [Click To Download]

Paula Perry "Down To Die For This"

Positive K "Its All Gravy" (Remix)

Tha Tribezmen "Who Got The Vibe"

Tha Tribezmen "Peep Into The Mind"

The Temptations "Just My Imagination" (Easy Mo Bee Remix)

Trends Of Culture "Make A Move"

Easy Mo Bee Volume Six [Click To Download]

Amil "Bitches"

Big Daddy Kane "Uncut, Pure"

Big Daddy Kane "La La Land"

Blaq Poet "You Fucked Up"

Busta Rhymes "Things We Be Doin' For Money, Pt. 1"

Craig G "Juicy Loosey"

Doug E. Fresh "It's On"

Easy Mo Bee "Game Of Death"

Freddie Foxxx "So Tough" (Easy Mo Tough Mix)

Goodie Mob "Fie Fie Delish"

Illacoin "This, That, And The Third"

J-Rock "Let Me Introduce Myself"

Kurupt "Light Shit Up"

Mack 10 "Hustle Game"

Marley Marl ft. Solo "Spazz"

Mos Def "Zimzallabim"

Mr. Cheeks "Here We Come"

Nice & Smooth "Boogie Down Bronx-BK Connection"

Notorious B.I.G. "Dead Wrong" ('93 OG Mix)

Notorious B.I.G. and 2Pac "House Of Pain" (Unreleased Easy Mo Bee Mix)

QNC "Polaroid Dimepiece"

Queen Latifah "Elements I'm Among"

Termanology "It's Time"

The Lost Boyz "My Crew"

Easy Mo Bee Entertainment EP (1997) - [Click To Download]

Easy Mo Bee "Now Or Never Oddysey" (2000) - [Click To Download]

Miles Davis "Doo Bop" (1992) - [Click To Download]

Rappin Is Fundamental "The Doo Hop Legacy" (1991) - [Click To Download]

Forbez DVD Interview (Vide0)

In The Lab Interview

Interview @ The Last Miles

Jumpoff.TV Interview (2007)

You Can't Hold Us Down

A1. Can't Hold Us Down (Vocal Remix)
A2. Can't Hold Us Down (Instrumental Remix)
A3. Can't Hold Us Down (Acapella)
B1. Can't Hold Us Down (Vocal Babigezus Mix)
B2. Can't Hold Us Down (Yard Boy Mix)
B3. Can't Hold Us Down (Instrumental)

Download

Here's a dope release from 1996 that features Greg Nice of Nice & Smooth. Produced by Babegezus(I don't know who this is), Greg Nice rhymes alongside with two other emcees. The remix produced by Da Penguin(I don't know who that is either), is definitely better than the Babigezus mix. It's a Greg Nice anthem type of ish.

A1. So Tough (Radio Though)
A2. So Tough (Toughstrumental)
A3. So Tough (Tough A Pella)
B1. So Tough (Easy Mo Tough Mix)
B2. So Tough (Sid' Mellow Mix)
B3. Crazy Like A Foxxx

Download

Here is Freddie Foxxx's 12" release from 1994 for then-unreleased album Crazy Like A Foxxx. So Tough was released with three different mixes. The original was produced by S.I.D.(Naughty, Apache, Queen Latifah) and had a reggae vibe to it with Queen Latifah singing on the hook. Then you had the "Tough" version produced Easy Mo Bee which made it feel more rugged. The last mix & the best was remixed by S.I.D. . It gave it a more mellow sound and took away the singing by Queen Latifah. It was more radio-friendly. The last track "Crazy Like A Foxxx" is known for being a diss to Ultragmagnetic MC's.

A1. Wunderlust (Main Mix)
B1. Wunderlust (Instrumental)
B2. Wunderlust (Acapella)

Download




Here's a 1996 release by Rob-O of INI. As you can see on the picture, it says "Produced By Pete Rock" but it was actually produced by the Soul Brother's bro Grap Luva. It has the same type of vibe as any song from the "Center of Attention". Wunderlust would also be included on Rob-O's Rhyme Pro cd which featured all his old materials.

A1. Move It In Move It Out (Phat Mix)
A2. Move It In Move It Out (Phat Radio)
A3. Move It In Move It Out (Acapella)
B1. Move It In Move It Out (Phat Remix)
B2. Move It In Move It Out (Phat Nitty Gritty Mix)
B3. Move It In Move It Out (Phat Remix Instrumental)

Download

This next 1997 release comes from the Derelect Camp. Move It In Move It Out is produced by Rockwilder(Redman, Busta Rhymes) when he had just started to get a little hype. But I got to say that Phat Remix wins, even though it is remixed by an unknown producer.


Thanks to T.R.O.Y. Regular Lyrical Gymnastics who blessed us with these vinyls.

--Thomas V

Looks Like A Blog For...

The most underrated BDK album and one of the most underrated albums in general. This has production by Trackmasterz, Large Professor and Easy Moe Bee and Kane flipping his machine gun flow and every track. Highlights include How You Get A Record Deal, Looks Like A Job For, Niggaz Never Learn, and Nuff Respect remix.

Apart from his debut, this is his most consistent effort...

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=913d1aafa81cb840d2db6fb9a8902bda

1. Looks Like a Job For...

2. How U Get a Record Deal?

3. Chocolate City

4. Prelude

5. The Beef Is On

6. Stop Shammin'

7. Brother Man, Brother Man

8. Rest in Peace

9. Very Special

10. Here Comes Kane, Scoob and Scrap

11. Niggaz Never Learn

12. Give It to Me

13. Nuff Respect

14. Finale

--admiral

Big Scoob - Suckaz Can't Hang

2 months ago, T.R.O.Y. Member Soopacee ripped his cassette single of Big Scoob(Big Daddy Kane) titled "Suckaz Can't Hang". While the track samples the Ohio Players's "Funky Worm", It actually sounds different that most of the tracks that sampled it. Suckaz Can't Hang was released on Cold Chillin' in 1994 and is co-produced by Easy Moe Bee. You might also remember scoob's verse as he performed it along with Kane, Big, Pac, & Shyheim in 1995 at the Madison Square Garden.

Here's the Track


Download Full Release

--thomasv