And finally, here is "Rare & Remixed Volume 3." This last volume is made up of tracks that I found after 2000 and up to the present. Most are random, unofficial remixes or mash-ups. Some good, some decent and a couple whatevers. But the first two tracks are from the advance copy of Prince Paul's "Hip-Hop Gold Dust." When the retail came out, "Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark" was mysteriously missing. And yes, about 30 seconds in to "Constant Elevation" there is some kind of hiss sounds. That's how it was on the DAT and Prince Paul apologized for it in the liner notes. As an added bonus, I have included the scene rip of the Gravediggaz "Demo Tape" and a very nice 8 track "Halloween Mashup EP" by DJ Cheekyboy. There are also a good assortment of unofficial Gravediggaz remixes on YouTube if you get some free time.
"Rare & Remixed Volume 2" is mostly compiled of tracks from the "The Pick The Sickle & The Shovel" era (1997-ish & post Prince Paul). To me, the highlights on this volume are the "Michael Jackson Skit" which is a supposed leftover from "6 Feet Deep" and the full "Westwood Freestyle" with The Roots and Hurricane that clocks in at just over 24 minutes!
In case you didn't know, the Gravediggaz were a supergroup formed in 1994 by Prince Paul (The Undertaker), Frukwan (The Gatekeeper), Too Poetic (The Grym Reaper) [R.I.P.] and RZA (The Rzarector). This compilation will be a three-part series. Volumes 1 & 2 were originally assembled back in 1999 for a few friends and other traders (traitors?). They managed to find their way on to eBay and were trimmed down to create otherbootlegs that were possibly pressed up or at least widely circulated. The years on those boots are absolutely bogus as some of the material wasn't even available at that time. Volume 3 is made up of unreleased tracks and remixes/mash-ups that I found between 2000 and 2010. It will also include a couple other treats, so stay tuned.
DOWNLOAD THE REVISED VOLUME 1 (I went back and removed all questionable characters from the files names: ampersands (&) commas (,) question marks (?) apostrophes ('). Hopefully this will resolve ANY more problems.)
Ras Kass is easily one of my favorite MCs of all time, but I'm mostly just a fan of his mid-90s discography. Fortunately, he recorded quite a few tracks in between the years of 1994 and 1996, and he also blessed several radio shows with ill pre-written freestyles. Three volumes worth of non-album tracks is no small feat - that's more than Organized Konfusion had in between the years of 1989 and 1998.
I have also included a "Soul On Ice" instrumental companion as a bonus. Enjoy, and hit us up in the comments section if you have anything that isn't included here. There's an alternate version of "Won't Catch Me Runnin" that I was hoping would surface before the completion of this post, but nobody seems to have it.
Ras Kass - Non-Album Tracks Volume 1 1. Live From C-Arson 2. Remain Anonymous 3. Etc (Extended Version) 4. Won't Catch Me Runnin' 5. Riiiot! w/ Chino XL 6. Come Widdit w/ Saafir & Ahmad 7. Plastic Surgery w/ Xzibit & Saafir 8. Arch Angels w/ Xzibit 9. E=MC5 w/ Western Hemisfear 10. Jack Frost 11. Soul On Ice (Remix) 12. Anything Goes (Remix) 13. Won't Catch Me Runnin' (Remix) 14. On Earth As It Is... (Vaporized Blend) 15. Come Widdit w/ Saafir & Ahmad (Fredwreck Remix) 16. Soul On Ice (Explicit Remix) http://www.mediafire.com/?1din5j1tga2
Ras Kass - Non-Album Tracks Volume 2 1. Stretch & Bobbito Freestyle 2. KZSU Freestyle #1 3. KZSU Freestyle #2 4. KXLU Freestyle 5. DJ Rhettmatic Freestyle w/ Chali 2na 6. Wake Up Show Freestyle 7. Wake Up Show Freestyle w/ Krs-One & Chino XL 8. Wake Up Show Freestyle w/ Krs-One & Mykill Myers 9. Wake Up Show Freestyle w/ Coolio 10. Wake Up Show Freestyle w/ ODB & RZA 11. Wake Up Show Anthem '94 12. Come Widdit w/ Saafir & Ahmad (Joe Quixx Remix) 13. Jack Frost (Extended Version) 14. Handle The Truth w/ Saafir, Almighty Arrogant, etc 15. Niggaz w/ Lyrical Lunatics 16. Get Up Get Down w/ Coolio 17. On Top Of The World w/ Battlecat 18. It Ain't Nothing Nice w/ DBA Flip http://www.mediafire.com/?dzqymmemotd
Ras Kass - Non-Album Tracks Volume 3 1. Everything I Love (Demo) 2. Core Audience (Demo) 3. High IQ (Demo) 4. Won't Catch Me Runnin' (Demo) 5. Capital R-A-S (Demo) 6. Blood Is Thicker Than Water (Demo) 7. Interlude 8. Take A Deep Breath (Demo) 9. Remain Anonymous (Demo) 10. Take A Deep Breath Remix (Demo) 11. Walk The Walk (Demo) 12. Reelishymn (Demo) 13. Nature Of The Threat (Demo) 14. Drama w/ Coolio (Demo) 15. The Evil That Men Do (Demo) 16. Soul On Ice (Demo) 17. Oral Sex (Demo) http://www.mediafire.com/?mnqmzmdz0uq
Ras Kass - Soul On Ice Instrumental Companion 1. On Earth As It Is 2. Anything Goes 3. Marinatin' 4. Miami Life 5. Won't Catch Me Runnin' 6. Jack Frost 7. E=MC5 8. Remain Anonymous 9. Soul On Ice (Remix) 10. Come Widdit 11. Come Widdit (Fredwreck Remix) 12. Anything Goes (Remix) http://www.mediafire.com/?qijjogmyimk
Akbar is seriously one of the most slept-on MCs in the history of hip hop, and easily one of my all-time favorite Chicago MCs. My first exposure to Ak was on a DJ PNS mixtape titled Chicago Rocks Volume 2. Ever since then, I always held him in a high regard, and I was constantly on the lookout for new material. I'd eventually track down his debut 12" with the Mental Giants, but it wouldn't come cheap.
Now, you're probably saying to yourself - how in the hell does this Akbar guy have three volumes worth of non-album tracks? Fortunately, I tuned in for the DJ 3rd Rail show one Sunday night back in early 2000, and to my surprise, Akbar was in the building. He was promoting his forthcoming album "Big Bang Boogie", and since he and DJ 3rd Rail were homies, he basically did a two hour live concert on the air, and it was fucking insane. I tuned in just in time, as I was able to record the entire thing. Make sure to check the audio samples.
I also got an ill Time Travel freestyle from the homie Kevin Beacham. Check out his myspace page for the ill Chicago rarities.
Akbar - Non-Album Tracks Volume 2 1. Time Travel Freestyle 7/25/96 2. Lif Concert Freestyle Segment #1 3. Lif Concert Freestyle Segment #2 4. Lif Concert Freestyle Segment #3 5. Lif Concert Freestyle Segment #4 6. DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #1 7. DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #2 8. DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #3 9. DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #4 10. DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #5 11. DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #6 12. DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #7 http://www.mediafire.com/?zzgwjzhjwgm
Akbar - Non-Album Tracks Volume 3 1. DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #8 2. DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #9 3. DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #10 4. DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #11 5. DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #12 6. DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #13 7. DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #14 8. DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #15 9. DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #16 http://www.mediafire.com/?z2gtmm4jmnz
Preview:
Mental Giants - Akbar's Groove
Mental Giants - Cheeba Creepas
Mental Giants - Bronx 'n Back
Mental Giants - Hustler's Hymn
Mental Giants & Jamalski - Thought So
Akbar - Battle Cry (Original Mix)
Time Travel Freestyle 7/25/96
DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #1
DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #2 (Battle Cry)
DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #7 (Bigger Dey Come/Freestyle)
DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #12
DJ 3rd Rail Live 2000 Segment #13 (Cheeba Creepas)
J-Live was one of the absolute best MCs in the business back in the late 90s/early 00s. Not only did he rip shit in the studio and on tour, but he also blessed many radio show and mixtape DJs with outstanding pre-written, improvisational freestyles.
I traded for two of his concerts back in 2003 or thereabouts; Volume 3 contains his Chicago 'o1 performance (15 minutes), and volume 4 is a complete soundboard from a '02 North Carolina concert. Make sure to check the audio samples.
I know that I'm missing at least a few freestyles from between the years of 1995 and 2002, so if you have anything to add, please hit us up in the comments section. For instance, there is an ill freestyle on a wax-only release titled Classic Freestyles Volume 1. I found an audio sample here.
J-Live - Non-Album Tracks Volume 1 1. Longevity 2. Braggin' Writes 3. School's In (Original Version) 4. Can I Get It? 5. Hush The Crowd 6. Longevity (Remix) 7. Braggin' Writes (Remix) 8. Trackrunners w/ Asheru & Grap Luva 9. Shiesty (Original Version) 10. Shyste (Wide Angles Version) 11. End Of Story w/ Peshay 12. The Truth 13. Wee Hours w/ The Arsonists 14. Interaction w/ Walkin' Large http://www.mediafire.com/?zgj2guvjkvg
J-Live - Non-Album Tracks Volume 2 1. Seven w/ Various Artists 2. Dynomite w/ Lone Catalysts 3. Great Live Caper w/ J. Rawls 4. Great Live Caper Pt. 2 w/ J. Rawls 5. Won't Stop Remix w/ Lone Catalysts 6. What Would You Do w/ Various Artists 7. Dummy w/ Unsung Heroes & L-Fudge 8. A Tree Never Grown w/ Various Artists 9. Realise w/ L-Fudge 10. Observe The Sound w/ Various Artists 11. Rules Of Engagement w/Esoteric & Count Bass D 12. Final Four w/ Various Artists 13. Sub Level w/ Rob Swift 14. Red Light Green Light w/ Ambivalence 15. Ships Pass 16. The Day I Fell Off http://www.mediafire.com/?dndtze2nzzn
J-Live - Non-Album Tracks Volume 3 1. KZSU Freestyle 2. DJ B-Melo Freestyle 3. DJ Bless Freestyle 4. Stretch & Bobbito Freestyle 5. CM Famalam Freestyle 6. Eddie Ill & DL Freestyle w/ Asheru & Last Emperor 7. Eddie Ill & DL Freestyle w/ Wizdom Life & AL 8. Eddie Ill & DL Freestyle w/ Various Artists 9. Romper Room Freestyle #1 w/ Vakill & Prime 10. Romper Room Freestyle #2 w/ Vakill & Prime 11. Live In Chicago '01 (15 Minutes) 12. Interview w/ Ambivalence http://www.mediafire.com/?zden25kmtnf
J-Live - Non-Album Tracks Volume 4 (N.C. SDBD) 1. Intro 2. Peace Y'all 3. A Charmed Life/The Lyricist 4. All In Together Now 5. Don't Play 6. Hush The Crowd 7. Longevity 8. Satisfied 9. DJ DP-One Spotlight 10. Braggin' Writes 11. Freestyle 12. Them That's Not 13. Like This Anna 14. Mcee 15. Beatbox Outro http://www.mediafire.com/?bmgeo5nhyy5
Here's a Bush Babees compilation that I put together for ohword back in early '08. I added two new freestyles from The Lyricist Lounge & Hot 97. Enjoy.
Bush Babees - Non-Album Tracks 1. We Run Things (MF Doom Blend) 2. Brooklyn Movements 3. Remember We (Salaam Remi Remix) 4. The Love Song (45 King Remix) 5. The Love Song w/ De La Soul (Remix) 6. Stretch & Bobbito Freestyle Session (1996) 7. Hot 97 Freestyle (1996) 8. Lyricist Lounge Freestyle Session (1995) 9. Swing It (Original) 10. We Run Things (Cut Killer Blend) 11. Remember We Remix (Cut Killer Blend) 12. Remember We Remix (Instrumental) http://www.mediafire.com/?mywx5tnhcyn
As far as I'm concerned, 1996-1998 is the best era for De La non-album cuts. There are upwards of 20 tracks on this two volume set that I thoroughly enjoy. My favorites include the Jay Dee and UK remixes for "Stakes Is High", the Native Tongue posse cut "How Ya Want It We Got It", the remixes for "The Bizness" and "The Love Song", the Rob-O track "Stay Away", and their collaboration with DJ Honda on "Trouble In The Water".
De La Soul - Stakes Is High Era Rarities Volume 1 1. Stakes Is High (Jay Dee Remix) 2. Stakes Is High (UK Remix) 3. Stakes Is High (Spinna Remix) 4. Stakes Is High (MF Doom Blend) 5. Stakes Is High (Soulman Remix) 6. Stakes Is High (Alternate Jay Dee Remix) 7. Stakes Is High (9th Wonder Remix) 8. Itzsoweezee (Remix) 9. Itzsoweezee (Spinbad Blend) 10. The Bizness w/ Common Sense (Remix) 11. The Love Song w/ The Bush Babees (Remix) 12. How Ya Want It We Got It w/ JBs & ATCQ (Remix) 13. I Can't Call It 14. Tim Westwood Freestyle w/ Nas (1996) http://www.mediafire.com/?1azwuzo3ngm
De La Soul - Stakes Is High Era Rarities Volume 2 1. Lyricist Lounge Intro 2. Trouble In The Water 3. Stay Away w/ Rob-O 4. The Hustle 5. Gettin' Down At The Amphitheater w/ Common Sense 6. More Than You Know w/ Prince Paul & Juggaknots 7. The Projects w/ Del 8. Chanel No. Fever 9. B-Side To Hollywood w/ Camp Lo 10. Hey DJ w/ Malcolm McLaren 11. 4 More (Juno Clean Remix) 12. Do Fries Go With That Shake 13. Sweet Dreams 14. 360 Degrees w/ Propellerheads 15. Pass It On w/ 3 Steps From Nowhere (Remix) http://www.mediafire.com/?ui3intyynwj
The Buhloone Mindstate sessions yielded quite a few classic non-album tracks. My personal favorites would include the soundtrack cut "Fallin", the De La Soul remix for "Breakadawn", the Clear Lake Auditorium track "She Fe MCs", and the b-side "Lovely How I Let My Mind Float". To be honest, I was never a huge fan of the "Buhloone Mindstate" LP, but 1993-1994 might be my favorite De La era, all things considered.
De La Soul - Buhloone Mindstate Era Rarities Volume 1 1. Breakadawn (De La Soul Remix) 2. Breakadawn (Foncett Power Radio Mix) 3. Breakadawn (London Remix) 4. Ego Trippin' (LA Jay Mix) 5. Ego Trippin' (Egoristic Mix) 6. Ego Trippin' (Gumbo Funk Remix) 7. Stickabush 8. Hsubakcits 9. She Fe MCs w/ ATCQ 10. Stix & Stonz w/ Grandmaster Caz & Prince Whipper Whip 11. Lovely How I Let My Mind Float w/ Biz Markie 12. Lovely How I Let My Mind Float w/ Biz Markie (Slight Remix) 13. Fallin' 14. Fallin' (Remix) http://www.mediafire.com/?didwzzi1mjn
This is, without question, the weakest era for De La Soul remixes & b-sides. Of course, a full 100MB volume of "Saturdays" and "Keepin' The Faith" might look legendary in comparison to whatever they're doing nowadays, but hey, even James Brown fell the fuck off at some point.
Volume 2 is a mandatory download, though. Check the audio samples for "De La Slow" "De La's Poster", "Roadrunner", and "Scenario". I get the feeling that they have a ton of 1991-1992 era material in the vaults; these guys were some serious workaholics, as indicated by the sheer amount of non-album tracks that were churned out during the "3 Feet High & Rising" sessions.
De La Soul - De La Soul Is Dead Era Rarities Volume 1 1. Saturdays (Disco Fever Mix) 2. Saturdays (Radio Home Mix) 3. Saturdays (Ladies Nite Decision) 4. Saturdays (6 AM Mix) 5. Saturdays (Who's Skatin' Promo) 6. Saturdays (Dave's Home Mix) 7. Saturdays (What Yo Life Can Truly Be) 8. Keepin' The Faith (Just A Touch Mix) 9. Keepin' The Faith (Fly And Funky Mix) 10. Keepin' The Faith (12" UK Mix) 11. Keepin' The Faith (7" UK Mix) 12. Keepin' The Faith (No Bass Mix) 13. Keepin' The Faith (Straight Pass) http://www.mediafire.com/?ut4hzjmjeim
De La Soul - De La Soul Is Dead Era Rarities Volume 2 1. Piles And Piles Of Demo Tapes Bi-Da Miles (Conley's Decision) 2. Ring Ring Ring (Party Line Mix) 3. Ring Ring Ring (Executive U.S. Decision Mix) 4. Ring Ring Ring (7" UK Mix) 5. Ring Ring Ring (CJ's Alternative Mix) 6. Millie Pulled A Pistol On Santa (Remix) 7. De La Slow (Demo) 8. De La's Poster (Demo) 9. Let The Horns Blow w/ Chi Ali, Dres, Phife & Fashion 10. Roadrunner (Demo) 11. Scenario w/ ATCQ, LONS & Black Sheep (Demo #1) http://www.mediafire.com/?nglexyvd5yz
De La Slow (Demo)
De La's Poster (Demo)
Let The Horns Blow w/ Chi Ali, Dres, Phife & Fashion
Roadrunner (Demo)
Scenario w/ ATCQ, LONS & Black Sheep (Demo #1)
Props to Vincent Lopez for blessing us with the "Scenario" demo, and major thanks to dirt dog for hooking up the ill cover!
There have been countless De La Soul non-album track compilations put together over the years, so we're not exactly breaking new ground, but if you're like me, then you enjoy having everything organized in one place. Over the course of the next week or two, I'm going to list four separate installments of De La Soul rarities:
3 Feet High & Rising Era (1988-1990) De La Soul Is Dead Era (1991-1992) Buhloone Mindstate Era (1993-1994) Stakes Is High Era (1996-1998)
First up, we got a two volume set of 3 Feet High & Rising era non-album tracks. I attempted to create an alternate version of the officially released album on volume 1, with volume 2 containing all of the leftovers. There are quite a few ill-advised European remixes in circulation, but you won't find any of 'em here. Enjoy.
De La Soul - 3 Feet High & Rising Era Rarities Volume 1 1. Ain't Hip To Be Labeled A Hippie 2. The Magic Number (Too Mad Mix) 3. Freedom Of Speak 4. Strictly Dan Stuckie 5. Jenifa (12" Version) 6. Ghetto Thing (Ghetto Ximer) 7. Eye Know (The Know It All Mix) 8. Skip 2 My Loop 9. Tread Water (Stonebridge's Pumpin' Mix) 10. Potholes In My Lawn (12" Version) 11. Say No Go (Say No Dope Mix) 12. Brain Washed Follower 13. Plug Tunin' (Something's Wrong Here) 14. Buddy (Native Tongue Decision) 15. The Mack Daddy On The Left 16. Me Myself And I (Oblapos Mode) 17. Double Huey Skit 18. D.A.I.S.Y. Age (Edit Mix) http://www.mediafire.com/?2tiimzjnqmt
De La Soul - 3 Feet High & Rising Era Rarities Volume 2 1. What's More 2. Me Myself And I & Say No Go (Unity Mix) 3. The Magic Number (1-2-3 Mix) 4. Freedom Of Speak (We Got More Than Three) 5. Jenifa (Alternate Mix) 6. Eye Know (The Kiss Mix) 7. Tread Water (Stonebridge's Local Mix) 8. Say No Go (New Keys Mix) 9. Me Myself And I (Remix) 10. Eye Know (Daisy Bass Mix) 11. Say No Go (House Of Love Mix) 12. Mama Gave Birth To The Soul Children w/ Queen Latifah 13. Doin' Our Own Dang w/ JBs & ATCQ 14. Doin' Our Own Dang w/ JBs & ATCQ (Fermie Remix) 15. Doin' Our Own Dang w/ JBs & ATCQ (JBs Remix) http://www.mediafire.com/?kyii3mm3mw0
I would classify Opio as the second most soulful producer from the Hieroglyphics camp after A-Plus. He didn't start crafting beats until '94 or thereabouts; he has not a single credit on either of the Hiero Oldies tapes, and he didn't contribute anything to the first Souls LP, so I'm assuming that he was influenced and/or encouraged by the other members to see what he could do behind the boards. His skills as a producer were first displayed on the sophomore Souls LP "No Man's Land", with "Rock It Like That" being the obvious highlight. He would then lace Del with the beat for "Love Is Worth", which, to me, is the dopest beat on "Future Development", and the greatest beat that Opio ever produced, period. In subsequent years, he'd go on to produce outstanding tracks such as "Unseen Hand", "Shooting Stars", "Birds Eye View", Casual's "Who Do That", and three bangers on the '98 Hiero family album "Third Eye Vision", with "Oakland Blackouts" being the true standout track.
Check the audio samples and see for yourself; Opio was definitely one of the most slept-on producers in the mid-to-late 90s west coast underground hip hop scene. I feel like I've said similar things about all of the other Hiero producers, but hopefully, after 8 installments and 24 volumes, you're getting a sense that the Hieroglyphics camp was truly on some other shit.
Opio - Production Files Volume 1 1. Del - Love Is Worth 2. Del - Love Is Worth (Original) 3. Souls Of Mischief - So You Wanna Be A... 4. Souls Of Mischief - Rock It Like That 5. Souls Of Mischief - Hotel, Motel 6. Souls Of Mischief - Unseen Hand 7. Casual - Who Do That 8. Souls Of Mischief - Shooting Stars 9. Souls Of Mischief - Birds Eye View 10. Opio & Pep Love - Hollywood Pt. II 11. Opio - Opio Verse 12. Opio & Del - Oakland Blackouts 13. Opio & Del - Oakland Blackouts (Original) 14. Opio & Pep Love - See Delight http://www.mediafire.com/?zmynmytonry
Opio - Production Files Volume 2 1. Souls Of Mischief - Acupuncture (Remix) 2. Souls Of Mischief - Mama Knows Best 3. Souls Of Mischief - Medication 4. Souls Of Mischief - Phoenix Rising (Resolution) 5. Souls Of Mischief - Enemy Minds 6. Souls Of Mischief - Rock It Like That (Instrumental) 7. Souls Of Mischief - Unseen Hand (Instrumental) 8. Souls Of Mischief - Shooting Stars (Instrumental) 9. Opio & Pep Love - Oakland Blackouts (Instrumental) http://www.mediafire.com/?xxyjy1rmqza
And finally, here is "Rare & Remixed Volume 3." This last volume is made up of tracks that I found after 2000 and up to the present. Most are random, unofficial remixes or mash-ups. Some good, some decent and a couple whatevers. But the first two tracks are from the advance copy of Prince Paul's "Hip-Hop Gold Dust." When the retail came out, "Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark" was mysteriously missing. And yes, about 30 seconds in to "Constant Elevation" there is some kind of hiss sounds. That's how it was on the DAT and Prince Paul apologized for it in the liner notes. As an added bonus, I have included the scene rip of the Gravediggaz "Demo Tape" and a very nice 8 track "Halloween Mashup EP" by DJ Cheekyboy. There are also a good assortment of unofficial Gravediggaz remixes on YouTube if you get some free time.
