Sounds Like The 90s Vol. 13 (2010)

Nope, you're reading the title right. If I'm being completely honest here, the real reason for the delay was I was just waiting on some good music in 2010. Being that most of the tracks I select for compilations are current I didn't just want to throw something together and label it SLT9s.

For the past two years I've taken ample time in creating this series. In selecting the right tracks, to sequencing them, to finding the best quality mp3s available. I still don't know if there has been an abundance of dope music in '10, but there is there plenty of time left. We're always open to suggestions so continue to leave comments or shoot us an email with the goodness.

Peace to my T.R.O.Y. fam for helping me gather some of these joints. Special shouts go to to Strategy, Blake Reznik, Meyhem Lauren, Ide, Skavenger,Verge, Open Mike Eagle and Dirt Dog for the ill cover. Enjoy Volume 13 and stay tuned for plenty more to come in 2010. --Philaflava

T.R.O.Y. Presents - Sounds Like The 90s Vol. 13

1. Freeway & Jake One – Throw Your Hands Up
2. Black Thought – Contract On The World feat. Dice Raw & Porn
3. The LOX – Slow Down (You’re Killin’ Em)
4. Smiley The Ghetto Child – I’m Legend (prod. DJ Premier)
5. Freddie Gibbs – The Ghetto
6. U.G. – Beat Yo Ass
7. Big Noyd – New York Lights
8. Meyhem Lauren – 7000 Thoughts
9. Roc Marciano - Snow
10. Mobb Deep – Whole Lotta Thug (prod. Alchemist)
11. Sadat X – Turn It Up feat. Pete Rock
12. Consequence – Let U Live feat. Pharoahe Monch
13. Ski Beatz – Prowler 2 ft. Jean Grae, Jay Electronica, Joell Ortiz & Mos Def
14. Wu-Massacre - Dangerous
15. U.G. – My Soldiers feat. Steele & Casual
16. Open Mike Eagle – Unapologetic feat. Nocando
17. Planet Asia & Goldchain Military – Organic Food (prod. Large Professor)
18. Tanya Morgan - Cheesesteak
19. Meyhem Lauren – Treat Her Like A Prostitute feat. Thristin Howl III
20. Brotha Lynch Hung - Meat

Download
Download #2

Related:
(Download) Sounds Like The 90s Volumes 1-12

Drayzee Says: It's 'Em Summer Days Volume 1

Recently we blessed you with G-Funk California.
If that was not much for you, than try to digest this load of dope summer tracks from all over The States, alloted in 3 volumes, made by member of philaflava forum and owner of his own blog, Drayzee, http://drayzee.blogspot.com/.
Drayzee was just kind enough to allow us to use his own work and to represent it via T.R.O.Y. Blog.
Thank you Drayzee for this massive work.


"Drayzee Says: It's 'Em Summer Days" is a compilation based on g-funk/gangsta/jazz/funk music. Too bad it's not summer yet, however this project will certainly give you that summer vibe. I hope this will bump in your speakers 6 summers from now. The first volume contains more "party-like" songs, the second volume will contain more gangsta/cruisin' stuff, jazz & funk, and the third one will be for you to just chill on. I also used some St. Ides commercial once per 8-9 songs, just to give you the feeling that there still is a dope radio on earth bumpin' this.

1. DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Summertime (Reprise)

2. 2nd II None - Didn't Mean To Turn You On
3. Warren G - This Is the Shack
4. Remy - Roll Wit Us
5. Bone Thugs N Harmony - Foe Tha Love of Money (Ft. Eazy-E)
6. Eazy-E - Gangsta Beat 4 Tha Street (feat. B.G. Knocc Out, Dresta & Menajahtwa)
7. Mista Grimm - Indo Smoke (Feat. Warren G, Nate Dogg)
8. Ant Banks - Parlayin'
9. Conscious Daughters - Fonky Expedition (Remix)
10. Mac Dre - California Livin'
11. I.F.A. - Slide
12. Big Mello - Funkwichamind
13. Luniz - Playa Hata
14. Lighter Shade Of Brown - Hey D.J.
15. Warren G - This D.J.
16. Sly Boogy - Keep On-feat Crooked I, Kam, Miss King, & AP
17. Str8-G - Bring The Funk (Remix)
18. Sir Speedy - Summertime feat Lady Nichole MC Maggie
19. Young Murder Squad - How We Livin'
20. DJ Quik - I Got That Feelin'
21. 2nd II None - B Alright
22. South Central Cartel - All Day Every Day
23. Hami - Im Tha One Ya Slept On
24. M. Doc - It's A Summer Thang (Remix)
25. Dubee - My Thang
26. 11-11 - Family Reunion
27. Luniz - I Got 5 On It (2F Remix)
28. Tha Eastsidaz - Friday Night Ft. Bokie Loc
29. L.O.L. - Can U Feel It
30. Remy - Give the DJ Some Love
31. Vontel - Keep It On The Real
32. Cinque - Rock Wit You (All Night)
33. The Dove Shack - Smoke Out
34. OutKast - Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik
35. DJ Quik & Kurupt - Ohh!
36. DJ Quik & Kurupt - Cream N Ya Panties
37. DJ Quik - Somethin' 4 Tha Mood
38. DJ Quik - Tha Ho In You
39. DJ Quik - Pitch In Ona Party
40. Str8-G - Everything's Fine (In The Summertime)
41. Shaquille O'neal - My Dear (Ft. Warren G)
42. Legend Man - N.O.L.A.
43. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony - Summer Love
44. Spice 1, 2pac, Mac Mall - California Dreamin'
45. 2Pac - Late Night Feat. D.J. Quik, Outlawz
46. Yo-Yo - Yo Yo Funk
47. L.B.C. Crew - Intro 2 The Indo (Haven't You Heard)
48. Kam - Pull Ya Hoe Card
49. Dr. Dre - Nuthin' But A 'G' Thang
50. 2Pac - I Get Around Feat Digital Underground
51. TWDY - Players Holiday
52. 805 Locos - Summertime In The 805
53. NWA - Chin Check (G-Funk Remix)
54. Smooth - It's Summertime (Let It Get Into U)
55. Rhythm & Knowledge - U Bring Da Dog Out
56. Skee-Lo - I Wish
57. Poor Righteous Teachers - Word Iz Life
58. Naughty By Nature - Feel Me Flow
59. Lord Finesse - Hip 2 Da Game
60. Kool Moe Dee - Can U Feel It
61. A Tribe Called Quest - Jam
62. DJ Jazzy Jeff - For Da Love Of Da Game feat. Baby Blak & Pauly Yamz
63. Dj Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Summertime
64. Dana Dane - Rollin Wit Dane
65. Paris - Guerrilla Funk (Deep Fo' Real Remix)
66. Notorious B.I.G. - Juicy
67. Kool G. Rap - Can't Stop The Shine
68. Sway Ft. Teddy - Month In The Summer
69. Large Professor - IJUSWANNACHILL
70. The Beatnuts - No Equal
71. Main Source - Just Hangin' Out
72. Redman - Tonight's Da Night
73. Nas - Memory Lane (Sittin' In Da Park)
74. Q-Tip - Let's ride
75. Bahamadia - I Confess
76. Digable Planets - For Corners
77. A Tribe Called Quest - After Hours
78. Digable Planets - It's Good To Be Here
79. Mood - Secrets of the Sand (Jay Dee Remix)
80. Twista - Sunshine
81. Lauryn Hill - The Sweetest Thing
82. Tha Alkaholiks - Relieve Yourself
83. Lil 1/2 Dead - Southern Girl
84. Twinz - Jump Ta This
85. The Grench - Saturday
86. King George - Tru Player
87. Mac T - Give It Up Smooth
88. The Dove Shack - We Funk G Funk
89. Lil Keke - Superstars
90. Fo' Clips - Can You Feel Me
91. Hi-C - Sitting in the Park
92. Mr. Capone-E - Summertime Anthem
93. Kid Frost - La Raza
94. L.S.O.B. - Sunny Day
95. Compton's Most Wanted - Come Ride with Me
96. Eastside - Southern Funk Feat. Chyne
97. Lil Half Dead - 12 Pacofdoja

** The tracklist does not contain St. Ides commercials **

DOWNLOAD

-- Markshot

J-Love “Nas' Finest” (Cassette)

CLASS-SICK!

This tape is one of those gems that never gets old (even with some J-Love drops on it). When I first got my hand on a copy of this tape, it really opened up my eyes to the possibility that a lot of artists had material that never made it on albums. And at the time, J-Love seemed to be the one with all the connections as every one of his tapes were covered in exclusives, remixes and unreleased tracks. See scans for track lists and the download contains a full scan of the j-card.
DOWNLOAD

Shouts to Ricky D for sending me a shoe box full of mixtapes many years ago. I'm finally getting around to ripping them.

enjoy,
--dirt_dog

Apache - R.I.P. Jan.22.10

Paying my tribute to one of the original Flavor Unit crew member, Apache, I compiled all of his appearances on records from 1989 to 1993 and the 12" cuts from his 1993 solo album "Apache Ain't Shit". Starting out with Lakim Shabazz on 45 King's Rhythmical Madness in 1989. Following with four appearances on the Flavor Unit album in 1990. In 1991, he's on Naughty By Nature & Double J's album. In 1993, for his 12"s cuts, he receives production from A Tribe Called Quest(Q. Tip), Large Professor, and The 45 King. For his guest appearances in 1993, he's with Fat Joe & Kool G Rap, and 2Pac(R.I.P), Treach, & The Live Squad(Stretch R.I.P). He would also write some of Latifah's lyrics. Apache had an incredible music collection.

R.I.P. Apache Jan.22.10

01 - The 45 King & Louie Louie - Smooth Yet Hard (Feat. Lakim Shabazz, Apache) (1989)

02 - The 45 King Presents - Flavor Unit Assassination Squad (Feat. Apache, Double J, Lakim Shabazz, Lord Alibaski, Queen Latifah) (1990)

03 - The 45 King Presents - I Feel Like Flowing (Feat. Apache) (1990)

04 - The 45 King Presents - Passin' The Mike (Feat. Lakim Shabazz, Apache) (1990)

05 - The 45 King Presents - Smooth Yet Hard (Feat. Apache) (1990)

06 - Naughty By Nature - 1,2,3 (Feat. Apache, Lakim Shabazz) (1991)

07 - Double J - Manslaughter(Feat. Apache) (1991)

08 - Apache - Do Fa Self (Prod. by The 45 King) (1993)

09 - Apache - Gangsta Bitch (Prod. by A Tribe Called Quest) (1993)

10 - Apache - Hey Girl (Prod. by Large Professor) (1993)

11 - Apache - Apache Ain't Shit (1993)

12 - Fat Joe Da Gangsta - You Must Be Out of Your Fuckin' Mind (Feat. Apache, Kool G Rap) (1993)

13 - 2Pac - 5 Deadly Venomz (feat. Treach Of Naughty By Nature, Apache & Live Squad) (1993)

14 - Flavor Unit - Keep It Real (Feat. Apache) (1993)

15 - Queen Latifah - Just Another Day (Bonus Track) (Written By Apache) (1993)

Download

-- Thomas V

R.I.P. Killa Sha Aka Prince AD (Of The Killa Kidz)

I bought his first solo album "God Walks on Water" when it came out in 2007 and I saw him when he came in 2008 with Large Professor in LA to perform @ The "Main Source" release party. R.I.P. Killa Sha

Killa Sha - The Unkut Interview

Killa Sha - G4 Freestyle & Interview (Feat. Large Professor)

Mobb Deep - Juvenile Hell (1993) Scratches By Prince AD

Chuck Chillout - 8 Mc's On The Freestyle You Sucker (1995)

Killa Kidz - Lyrical Flava (1996)

Killa Kidz - 96' Phenomenon (1996)

Ill Mentality - Luvin' U4 Dayz (QBC Remix) (Remixed By Prince A.D.) (1996)

Tragedy Khadafi - Sidewalk Confessions (Feat. Killah Shah, Headrush Napoleon) (2001)

Killa Sha - Nourishment (2007)

Killa Sha - One Hand Wash The Other (Feat. Tragedy Khadafi) (2007)

Killa Sha - Work The Plan (Feat. Havoc) (2007)

Killa Sha - Maskaraid (2007)

Large Pro - Maica Living (Feat. Killa Sha & Guardian Leep) (2008)

DJ Muggs Vs. Planet Asia - Pain Language (Alchemist Remix) (Feat. Killa Sha) (2008)

-- Thomas V

Update- Killa Sha passed away due to complications with his diabetes.

Sweet 16's

Satchel Page teams up with Legends: Neek The Exotic, Mikey D, Sadat X, & Large Professor. Produced by Ayatollah

-- Thomas V

Ghostface, Jadakiss, Redman, U-God & Large Professor

I love shit like this! Myspace held a free Ghostface concert to promote the new album and awesomeness happened. --Philaflava

Peace to DigiWaxx for the video.

Resurrection '95 Vs. Large Professor Remix Vs. Extra P. Remix

12" Vinyl Single

A1 Resurrection '95 (Clean)

A2 Resurrection Extra P. Remix (Clean)

A3 Resurrection Large Professor Remix (Clean)

A4 Resurrection '95 Acapella

B1 Resurrection '95 Instrumental

B2 Resurrection Extra P. Instrumental

B3 Resurrection Large Professor Instrumental

B4 Chapter 13 (Clean)[not really clean, mislabelled]

[Download]

Before downloading, remember I put all these singles and samples in one folder at the bottom of the page. This is just if you already have something and don't want to download it all.

Resurrection CD Single

01. Resurrection '95 (Dirty)

02. Resurrection (Extra P. Remix)(Dirty)

03. Resurrection (Large Professor Remix)(Dirty)

04. Chapter 13 (Dirty)

05. Soul By The Pound (Thump Mix)(Dirty)

[Download]

So, you had to know this would be brought up here eventually. I'm not gonna get into how great the album was, what my favorites were off of it, how crazy I thought Communism was, or any of that at this time. Right now, it's all about one of the possibly greatest records to own, just for the remixes. I remember feeling stupefied when I first heard both remixes on the same night. I figured that one of them had to be unofficial or a really great homegrown remix. But when I copped the promo a week or two later and realized that they were both on the record and both done by the Large Professor, well, shit. And I only recently realized that only the CD single had the dirty versions, so you're gonna want to download everything here at the bottom of the post.

Which is your favorite is the question, though.

No ID's album version?

It's great in it's own right. I love that piano loop and here's the video-

Or the good mood inducing, summer day on your way out the city to the beach feeling, Large Professor Remix?

Or is it the Extra P Remix? This is my personal favorite and always has been. Some people can favor one today and the other tomorrow. This is so great with the night time 95 groove. That sample just blew my mind and still does. He was catching samples nobody else will ever be able to match.

Just plain awesome.

The Samples:

Ahmad Jamal - Dolphin Dance (og 95 mix sample snippet)

David Axelrod - The Signs Part2 (large professor remix sample snippet)

Spirit - Ice (extra p remix sample snippet)

[Download every song in this post in one folder here], including full versions of the samples.

[Back up link]

Sorry no drum breaks. Gotta find those yourself. But if you're really fiending for them, drop a comment and I'll send you in the right direction.

Let us know your favorite mix in the comments. So far, at the T.R.O.Y. forum, the Extra P Remix has a commanding lead. But the og No ID mix is on the creep...

--Verge

Who Flipped It Better? Hiero vs. Large Pro

When I first heard this George Duke record, I immediately recognized the sample for Hieroglyphics', "You Never Knew". Dope sample. A Plus also incorporated a Patrice Rushen singing sample and sped it up to great effect. They wound up with an energetic, fast paced, warm weather anthem that made for a dope single and great video.

The first time I heard Large Pro's, "Dancin' Girl", I recognized it as having the same sample as "You Never Knew". I had to go back and dig for the original because it's not easy trying to remember every single song you ever heard and who used what for what. Nahmean?

Anyway, I was expectedly impressed with the way LP flipped that Duke sample. He looped that shit up lovely and turned it into a mellow, lounging at the tittie club anthem.

Not much more to be said here. Two great producers, two hip hop anthems.

Both dope, but in different ways. This is another example of the talent and creativity that goes behind sampling. Another example of how everybody hears things differently and how a good ear for samples can keep things fresh.

Previews:

George Duke - Seeing You

Patrice Rushen - Didn't You Know

Large Professor - Dancin' Girl

Hieroglyphics - You Never Knew

[Download all tracks here]

[Back up link here]

Don't sleep on the "sampling" link within the post.

--Verge

Large Professor - The LP (Official Release)

This needs no explaining. The wait is over so enjoy the CDQ version of "The LP" and if you see a copy at a store nearest you, PICK IT UP! --Philaflava

EDIT: Red Line Music Distribution asked us to remove the link. We're told "This album is available now for sale at online stores such as iTunes.com, Amazon.com, myspace.com and more. The LP will also be available for sale on 2 LP and CD."

1		Intro (1:02)
2		That Bullsh*t (3:42)
3		Hungry (2:43)
4		I Juswanna Chill (3:28)
5		Funky 2 Listen 2 (2:54)
6		Mad Scientist (4:22)
7		Hard (3:50)
8		One Plus One Featuring NAS (2:48)
9		The LP (3:17)
10		Dancin' Girl (3:45)
11		Large Pro:Verbs (2:36)
12		Havin' Fun (3:25)
13		Spacey (2:59)
14		Amaman (3:57)
15		Queens Lounge (3:16)
16		Bowne (3:53)
17		Big Willie (3:38)
18		Outro (1:45)

(LINK REMOVED BY REQUEST)

S.O.U.L. Samples

S.O.U.L. is an obscure early 70s funk group that released some of the absolute dopest tracks from that era. They recorded two albums in between the years of 1971 and 1973: "What Is It" and "Can You Feel It". From what I can gather, they disbanded shortly after the release of their second album, so unfortunately, their entire catalog contains less than 20 tracks. Producers that have sampled S.O.U.L. include Pete Rock, Marley Marl, The Large Professor, The Jungle Brothers, MF Doom, etc.

S.O.U.L. - Samples
1. S.O.U.L. - Burning Spear
2. Organized Konfusion - Releasing Hypnotical Gases
3. Pete Rock & CL Smooth - Go With The Flow
4. S.O.U.L. - Soul
5. Slick Rick - A Letter
6. Jungle Brothers - In Dayz 2 Come
7. Main Source - Fakin' The Funk
8. S.O.U.L. - Piece Of Mind
9. Craig G - What You're Used To
10. Main Source - Peace Is Not The Word To Play
11. S.O.U.L. - Message From A Black Man
12. MF Doom - Sarsaparilla (Instrumental)
http://www.mediafire.com/?ztt5nmzzj31

Preview:

S.O.U.L. - Burning Spear


S.O.U.L. - Soul


S.O.U.L. - Piece Of Mind


S.O.U.L. - Message From A Black Man


--Roy Johnson

DJ Mighty Mi - Large Professor Megamix (45:41)

DJ Mighty Mi (The High & Mighty) - Large Professor Megamix (45:41) (2003)

1 Kool G Rap & D.J. Polo - Bad To The Bone (Radio Remix)
2 Jaz, The - Hypocritters
3 Main Source - Peace Is Not The Word To Play
4 Nas - Rewind
5 Mad Skillz - Extra Abstract Skillz
Featuring - Large Professor , Q-Tip
6 Organized Konfusion - Stress (Remix)
7 Slick Rick - It's A Boy (Remix)
8 Gang Starr - Gotta Get Over (Takin Loot) (Remix)
9 Tragedy - Da Funk Mode
10 Kool G Rap & D.J. Polo - Money In The Bank
Featuring - Large Professor
11 Common - Resurrection / Resurrection '95
12 Nas - It Ain't Hard To Tell (Remix)
13 Main Source - Atom
14 Roxanne Shanté - Brothers Ain't Shit
15 Apache - Hey Girl
16 Kool G Rap & D.J. Polo - Wanted Dead Or Alive
17 Akinyele - No Exit

Download

Mixed using ORIGINAL VINYL!!! Don't Believe Me? Ask Shaun D.

-- Thomas V

Neek The Exotic - Non-Album Tracks (1992-1999)

Between the years of 1992 and 1999, Neek The Exotic ripped pretty much all of his verses to shreds. Here's a compilation that I put together with all of his known recordings from that time period. I'd like to know what he was doing in between the years of 1994 and 1997, as there is nothing listed in his discogs profile. Also, he is credited w/ the second verse on the Large Professor track "Spacey", but as far as my ears can tell, that ain't Neek.



Neek The Exotic - Non-Album Tracks (1992-1999)

1. Fakin' The Funk w/ Main Source

2. Fakin' The Funk w/ Main Source (Yo! MTV Raps)

3. Pee-Nile Reunion Verse (Acapella)

4. Pee-Nile Reunion Verse

5. Rip 'Em Flip 'Em

6. Exotic Is Raw

7. Rock The Mic

8. Real Hip Hop

9. Backs N Necks

10. Muthafuckin' Man

11. Hardcore w/ Large Professor

12. Rhymemania 99 w/ Large Professor

13. Pump Ya Fist

14. Everything's Real

15. Fakin' The Funk w/ Main Source (Slight Remix)

http://www.mediafire.com/?tmg2yzdnfmj



Preview:



Fakin' The Funk (Yo! MTV Raps)





Pee-Nile Reunion (Verse)





Rip 'Em Flip 'Em





Exotic Is Raw





Real Hip Hop





--Roy Johnson

XXL: Nas Illmatic, 15 Years Later

When was the last time you bought a hip-hop magazine? Basically, I never buy new hip-hop magazines but I had to make an exception for the new XXL April 2009 Issue. In the beginning of this month when the magazine cover was revealed, I noticed that there was going to be an article commemorating the 15th Anniversary of Nas's Classic 1994 LP "Illmatic". With subtitles of DJ Premier, Large Pro, Pete Rock, & Q-Tip, I knew that it was going to be worth the reading.

Yesterday, after copping the issue, I immediately skipped to the "Illmatic" article. I was stunned by seeing these old hi-res '94 pictures of Nas; there's a picture of Premier, Large Pro, Faith, Nas, Q-Tip, & L.E.S in the studio. I would like to thanks Timmotep Aku, Carl Chery, Clover Hope, Rob Markman, Starrene Rhett, Anslem Samuel for taking a trip down to memory lane and compiling a classic article on a perfect album. Below are all the representers who each took their time to talk on the making-of of their incredible work on the track which they appeared on. This isn't something that you've seen before, you will learn a lot of new trivia... Below that is the scan of the article.

Representers

• Nas
• Jungle
• Faith Newman-Orbach(Executive Producer)
  
• MC Serch
• DJ Premier
• Large Professor
• L.E.S.
• AZ
• Olu Dara
• Pete Rock
• T La Rock
• Busta Rhymes
• Grand Wizard
• Q-Tip

Download 9-Pages Scan (Hi-Res)

Make sure to support this issue by buying it at your local bookstore. This is the type of issue that will truly become a collectible. There are other noteworthy articles included in the issue that are worth reading after "Illmatic."

-- Thomas V

Editor's Note: Don't forget to grab today's other exclusive: Rakim "The Cellar EP".

An Infamous Genealogy, Pt. 1

Main Source "Snake Eyes"

Main Source "Just A Friendly Game Of Baseball"

A Tribe Called Quest "Midnight"

Mobb Deep "Peer Pressure" (Large Professor Remix)

Mobb Deep’s musical genealogy is a crucial guide to comprehending and appreciating their masterful sophomore LP, The Infamous. The album is one of hip hop’s bastard children: it is typically evaluated in isolation from its forbearers. Like so many so-called “gangsta” rappers, the group’s lyrics have been read as literal autobiographical exposés and unthinking advocacies of merciless criminal activity. Don’t believe the hype. In reducing Mobb's rhymes to caricaturish doggerel, while presuming dark soundscapes  to signify anger and nothing else, critics underestimate the duo's musical and poetic aptitude, and their willingness to incorporate influences from outside of their immediate frames of reference.

Havoc and Prodigy make extensive use of poetic stylization. Their take on reality is comprised of an unlikely yet compelling admixture of cartoonish violent escapism, detached reportage, bleak apocalyptic lamentation, and (occasionally) serene reflection. Their economical, blustery rhymes resound over menacing tracks. The notion that this style arose spontaneously from the oblivion of primitive rage is misguided. To disprove it, one must simply take note of the accelerated artistic growth that undoubtedly occurred in the years after the release of their forgettable debut, Juvenile Hell.

Mobb Deep grew into their sound, with help. The Infamous exceeds the sum of an exaggerated Queensbridge upbringing by virtue of its pedigree alone. The mentorship of Large Professor and Q-Tip (hailing from the far flung corners of the Q-borough in the respective sections of Flushing and Jamaica) gives rise to Mobb Deep's superior sophomore reincarnation. The family tree provides ample evidence. Q-Tip and Large Pro are bonded by their work on Illmatic, the debut album of Queensbridge rap prodigy, Nas. Prior to that, Large Pro contributed counsel and work behind the boards (acknowledged in shout-outs, liner notes, and interviews) to A Tribe Called Quest's third album, the nearly universally acclaimed Midnight Marauders. 

In fact, as a bonafide student-teacher who came up in the studio under the tutelage of the legendary Paul C. McKasty, Large Pro’s reputation as a mentor to up and coming Queens artists was already solidified by the time he added his touches to Marauders. It can be accurately stated that Large Pro mentored Q-Tip in the art of mentorship. A godfather of sorts to a second wave of Queens-based artists that were raised on Run DMC and the Juice Crew, Large Pro convened “Live At The BBQ,” the famous posse cut from Main Source’s debut Breaking Atoms that features the world premieres of Nas and Akinyele. 

Large Pro continued to nurture budding talent throughout the '90s, and in fact his involvement with Mobb Deep actually predates his work with A Tribe Called Quest. He remixed “Peer Pressure” from their maligned debut, as well as “Funk Mode,” a 1993 song by Tragedy the Intelligent Hoodlum (now widely acknowledged to be an influence on Nas, as well as an early mentor to Capone N’ Noreaga) that features a verse from Havoc. Although never given an official name like the Native Tongues, this extended family of Queens-based hip hop artists ritually transmitted professional and musical expertise from one generation to the next. 

In addition to advice about the biz or pointers on production, the elders provided the up and comers with a sophisticated approach to penning suggestive, creative lyrics that augment the chilly moodiness that emanates from so much sample-laden hip hop music. Many of the themes covered on Infamous and later Mobb albums—including literal and figurative warfare, emotional and physical suffering, and artistic and racial double-consciousness—are also famously tackled throughout the discographies of Tribe and Main Source. 

On “Midnight,” where Q-Tip’s employment of differing perspectives within a single song and use of bassy, menacing samples anticipates Mobb Deep’s shifting commentaries on the street life and their famously dark sound. Mobb Deep’s penchant for coldly ironic allegory is reminiscent of Large Pro’s cautionary depiction of life as a sky-high stakes game of cee-lo on “Snake Eyes.” In the anti-cop “Just a Friendly Game of Baseball,” Large Pro delivers his extended metaphor with stoic clarity over a devastating break that also appears on Tribe’s “If the Papes Come” remix from the same year. These characters will reappear later on The Infamous as potentially deadly forces that must be undermined and avoided.

TO BE CONTINUED

In future installments, I'll examine the "demo" or "rough draft" recordings Mobb Deep made prior to the release of  Infamous,  examine Q-Tip's involvement in recording process,  and chart their evolution  into a group whose signature sound and world view represents an innovative departure from its primary influences. -- Thun

Main Source - Lost Science

Main Source demos that were originally recorded for their unreleased 2nd album "The Science." It was released about 2 months ago as a limited pressing by Diggers With Gratitude. The demos were given to DWG by K-Cut as he originally played them on a Canadian radio show which you can find here.

Here's information on the tracks:

"Bootlegging" - Large Pro takes on the role of the bootlegger on this lost gem, check the horns, this one features on "Lungbutters".

"Raise Up" - "The Science" was going to be constructed of a bunch of 'Interlude' style tracks - this is one of them.

"Time (alternative mix)" - early demo version of the track recently unearthed for a Japanese only release on P-Vine/Actual Records.

Download

Note: The Lost Science EP didn't hit the blogsphere yet so you will probably see it on a few blogs within a few hours. If they don't give us credit, they probably jacked our link, but we can only take that as a form of flattery, right?

This is also my first vinyl rip so be on the look out for a few rarities in the future.

-- Thomas V

Nas meets The Large Professor

Do you remember the Nas "I Am" blends that we posted weeks ago? Well, T.R.O.Y. regular Vaporized just recorded a new Nas blend tape. This time, he mixed Nas's acapellas over beats from The Large Professor. It was a perfect match as Nas started his career on Main Source's debut Breaking Atoms. The last time they collaborated together was on "Stillmatic" so it was nice to hear Nas over new sh*t from The LP.

I'd love to see an album by Nas fully produced by Large Pro. While it may not happen, you can listen to Vaporized's incredible blends in the meantime.

01 - Nas - You Know My Style - (Large Pro blend)
02 - Nas - I Can...(Large Pro blend)
03 - Nas - Nastradamus (Large Pro blend)
04 - Nas - Mastermind (Large Pro blend)
05 - Nas - The Set Up (Large Pro blend)
06 - Nas ft.AZ - The Flyest (Large Pro blend)
07 - Nas - The World Is Yours (Large Pro blend)
08 - Nas - Purple (Large Pro blend)
09 - Nas - Made You Look (Large Pro blend)
10 - Nas - Got Urself A Gun (Large Pro blend)
11 - Nas ft.AZ - Life's A Bitch (Large Pro blend)
12 - Nas - If I Ruled The World (Large Pro blend)
13 - Nas - Shootouts (Large Pro blend)
14 - Nas - Dance (Large Pro blend)

Download

-- Thomas V

Bonus : Large Pro recently appeared as a surprise guest for Nas's latest concert in New York.

The LP

It was brought to our attention over at the T.R.O.Y forum that a few copies of the of "The LP" were available on eBAY for the price of $39.99. The urban legend is that "The LP" never existed in hi-fi CD format and that the only true leak of this album was on a promo-only cassette. So while it maybe enticing to want to want to add this to your collection, the reality is you'd be purchasing a low-fi bootleg of the album.

Since we care about you and how you spend you're money in these rough times, we're providing you the HIGHEST QUALITY recording that has ever existed for "The LP."

--Philaflava

01. Sunrise
02. One Plus One
03. Hard
04. Spacey
05. For My People
06. Hungry
07. Get Off The Bullshit
08. Funky 2 Listen 2
09. Dancing Girl
10. Have Fun
11. Ijuswannachill
12. The Mad Scientist

DOWNLOAD

(ripped at 320)

Large Pro related blogs:

Paul C. Lives

Main Source Interviews w/trivia

The Mad Scientist - VLS, Samples, and a "Who Flipped It Better?"

Props to the amazing Ho1ogramz & thomasv.

Main Source Interviews w/trivia

Large Professor

K-Cut


In 1991, Main Source released their debut album "Breaking Atoms". It's consider one of the greatest hip-hop album of all time. Main Source consisted of Large Professor, K-Cut, and Sir Scratch. "Breaking Atoms" is known for tracks like "Just Hangin' Out", "Looking at the Front Door", "Just a Friendly Game of Baseball", and "Live at the Barbecue" which is Nas' first appearance on a hip-hop record. Large Pro left the group in 1992 because of business differences.

Large Professor was recently interviewed on Rosenberg Radio. He talked about a lot of things like production, artists he worked with, Main Source... It was great to hear what he had to say.

K-Cut was interviewed a few days ago on The Real Frequency (Toronto radio). The interview was full of trivia. For example, he said that "Snake Eyes" was directed at Eric B after Large Pro didn't receive any money for the work he did on the "Let the Rhythm Hit Em". He also played unreleased tracks that were supposed to be on their second album "The Science". No more spoilers... enjoy the interviews.

--Thomas V

MC Shan is Livin' Large

Almost everyone from the Juice Crew switched label in the early 90's. MC Shan went to Livin' Large Records just like Roxanne Shante. He first released "Hip Hop Roughneck" with the b-side "Watchin' My Style" in 1993. I really liked the instrumental that they used for it; it's probably going to make your head nod. Next he released his second single "Penile Reunion"; a posse cut with Kool G Rap, Neek the Exotic, Diesel, and Snow. It was produced by Kool G Rap and The Large Professor. The B-side "Don't Call It a Comeback" is produced by Mister Cee and it contains scratches by DJ Scratch.

I also have the CD Single for both of these releases so it's probably the best quality you will ever get them in.

MC Shan - Hip Hop Roughneck/ Watchin' My Style
MC Shan - Penile Reunion/ Don't Call It a Comeback

--Thomas V