Inspectah Deck - Let Me At Them (Demo Piano Version)

I first had this taped off the radio about 15 years ago, either from a WNWK or WKCR broadcast. I'm guessing around 1994

or 1995 was the time frame, being that the official soundtrack version on "Tales From The Hood" didn't drop until a good while after I first heard this. The one main difference on this demo is the piano sample that was curiously taken out of the soundtrack version. Hearing the demo first, every time I would hear the other version, it was like I was waiting for those pianos to drop in the mix. It got to be frustrating to even listen to this piano-less shell of a song. I can almost guarantee that after hearing this demo, you will not want to ever hear the official release again, well almost. The sound quality on the demo is much inferior to the other one. The reason for the pianos getting dissed would probably be due to sample clearance problems, but I guess only Deck knows for sure since he did the beat. All that is definite is that whether or not you found the version of this song you already knew to be memorable, it will be now. Sure the rest of the elements of the beat are all great on this but the pianos really are just that crucial to the illness of "Let Me At 'Em". They give it an added raw Wu sound, with the menacing darkness that would have fit right in a ghetto horror flick.

Let Me At Them (Demo Piano Version)

Let Me At Them (Soundtrack Version, No Pianos)

Download the demo and the other version both here.

Click on the cover to pick up the entire Tales From The Hood Soundtrack(at 320kbps) from our friends over at "Hq Hip Hop".

Thanks and peace to JR from the "Crates Of JR" blog for ripping this personally sought after demo from one of his old WBAI tapes, off the Underground Railroad. The show still broadcasts and even has a chat room/podcast thing going on every Saturday night at midnight. You can find that by clicking here at the broadcast time and then clicking the "Live Broadcast" button on the right. Also, the host for many years now, is this guy Jay Smooth from the Ill Doctrine hip hop video blog. Love it or hate it, you can't really dismiss it, the guy has valid points on many arguments.

--Verge

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.

Vaporized Blends: Wu Freestyles

If you've been following T.R.O.Y. since the beginning you know that our friend Vaporized can throw together some great blends. Whether he's throwing Nas vocals over Godfather Don and 45 King productions or matching AZ acapellas to Hydra beats, the kid puts in work. Now he's back with a little something differet for the Wu Tang aficianados:

this is a 13+ minute continuous freestyle from '96 with Cappadonna, Timbo King and U-God spitting over random breakbeats, blended with some kick ass beats by QDIII, Godfather Don, Rockwilder etc.

the original freestyle is from Wild Style Freestyle Allstars Vol.2. unfortunately I had to cut out Ghostface's verse out of this, but all the random chatter/false starts/mess ups are cut also. this was fairly difficult to construct but I think it kind of works...

Sounds enticing, innit? Download it or stream it here: http://www.box.net/shared/eyy9tstbyn

-- Thun

Memory Man Presents: Raekwon - Cuban Revolution

T.R.O.Y. forum member Memory Man dropped one of the most enjoyable mixtapes of the summer. It so happens to be the ideal appetizer before OB4CLII drops September 8th. This mix has been making its rounds on other sites but I felt since T.R.O.Y. Blog caters to an older audience many might have missed this and we wouldn't that... --Philaflava

Memory Man Presents: Raekwon - Cuban Revolution

* 1.Cuban Revolution Intro
* 2.All That Money Is Us
* 3.Run Away (ft. Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, Method Man & GZA)
* 4.Better Shoot Something
* 5.Cipher Born (ft. Ghostface Killah & U-God)
* 6.Get Your Shit Beat In (ft. Polite, Chip Banks, Ghostface Killah & Trife Diesel)
* 7.Slang Copulation (ft. Nas, Cappadonna & Ghostface Killah)
* 8.Curiosity
* 9.Iron Chef (ft. Ghostface Killah, Polite & Inspectah Deck)
* 10.A Wise Man
* 11.Cuban Revolution Interlude
* 12.We Gettin' Knots (ft. Fat Joe, Armageddon & Big Pun)
* 13.Fearless Ninjas (ft. Ghostface Killah)
* 14.The All-Time Lineup (ft. American CREAM Team, Inspectah Deck & Method Man)
* 15.Live Kid (ft. Notorious BIG & Ghostface Killah)

Download Links

Wu-Tang Clan “Dirty & Stinkin’ (Bootleg Vinyl)”

And by Wu-Tang Clan I really mean the one and only... Ol' Dirty Bastard. This was by far one of my favorite non-album tracks that ever surfaced. This bootleg vinyl was another one of my prized scores from the mid to late 90's while I scoured all over Chicago buying just about anything Wu-Tang I could get my hands on (I think I'm still paying off my credit card bills).

DOWNLOAD

So that was the good and now comes the bad and the ugly. In 2001 there was a promo cd single that surfaced containing some horrible whack ass Main Mix and a Remix for "Dirty & Stinkin'." This time around they threw in Method Man to try and save things. Complete failure. Almost as bad, in the same year there was Phil Collins cover album called Urban Renewal. Ol' Dirty's contributions was "Sussudio." Even DJ Clark Kent had his hand in it and they totally killed it, in a very bad way. If you care to hear how people ruined such a great track, grab it below.

DOWNLOAD

enjoy,

--dirt_dog

Deadly Venoms - Venoms Everywhere (CD Single) 2000

The Deadly Venoms was an all-female hip hop supergroup which consisted of N-Tyce, Finesse, J-Boo, & Champ MC that was also wu-affliated. N-Tyce is mostly known for "Hush Hush Tip" track with Method Man which was released in 1993 on Wild Pitch Records. Next we have Finesse (formely of Finesse & Synquis) who released "Soul Sisters" in 1988. After that we have J-Boo and finally.. Champ MC who released her first album titled "Ghetto Flava" in 1994. The Deadly Venoms had trouble releasing their first two albums, they both ended up being shelved. A few rare advance promo copies exist though. Today, I'm bringing your their first single titled "Venom Everywhere" off the unreleased "Pretty Thugs" album from 2000. The beat is bangin'(wu-signature beat) and it's great to hear veteran female emcees on the mic. Peep the video below. Enjoy,

01 Venom Everywhere (Radio Edit)
02 Venom Everywhere (LP Version)
03 Venom Everywhere (Instrumental)
04 Venom Everywhere (A Capella)
05 Venom Everywhere (TV Track)

Download



-- Thomas V

Danger Mouse - DM Mix (98-01)

Before Gnarls Barkley, Danger Doom, The Grey Album, & bringing back Jemini The Gifted One, Danger Mouse was putting out his own hip-hop mixtapes which always included a handful of his early mash-ups or should I say blends. He released four promo mixtapes from 1998 to 2000. I hooked up all his remixes together into one folder full of Danger Mouse Remixes*. They were all well done. A blend that I really enjoy is Inspectah Deck's "Rec Room" vocals over Demastas "Feel No Guilt" instrumental. While a lot of the instrumentals used for the remixes were known to my ears, my three favorites which I included below didn't ring a bell. I think they were probably his own beats. All of you should enjoy these remixes, peep the samples below to give you a nice idea of the concept. Enjoy,

Download

Samples:

-- Thomas V

*One of the remix I included is from 2001 (wasn't on his promo mixtapes)

Memory Man Presents Wu-Tang Clan Vs. D.I.T.C.

Memory Man Presents Wu-Tang Clan Vs. D.I.T.C.

"This virtual face-off pits two of New York's most respected and influential crews against each other in an all-out blend war. The focus is on battle rhymes and the groups' golden era material, but there's a few exceptions. Split into two continuous parts, the tracks alternate between Wu-Tang MC's rhyming over D.I.T.C. beats and vice versa. This mix is an attempt to illustrate how evenly matched the Wu-Tang Clan and D.I.T.C. really are/were."

Wu-Tang Clan Vs. DITC Part 1 (45:30)
Wu-Tang Clan Vs. DITC Part 2 (35:05)

Download

Hopefully, you will all enjoy this mix. Make sure to check out Memory Man here at his Myspace. Drop a comment! It def gets my vote for 'Mix of the Year'!!

-- Thomas V

Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style/ Taste The Pain (Soundtrack 1999)

In 1999, the video game "Wu Tang: Shaolin Style" was released for the PlayStation. It was titled "Taste The Pain" in PAL territories. It was a fighting game based on the Wu-Tang Clan's kung fu influence. Wu Tang: Shaolin Style was poorly received by many video game reviewers but anyway, my intention is to post the soundtrack not the video game. The PlayStation disc had its soundtrack which was playable on every music cd player. It featured every song that was exclusively made for the game.

1. La The Darkman & RZA - Wu World Order
2. U-God - Rumble (Feat. Inspectah Deck, Letha Face, & Method Man)
3. Masta Killa - Shaolin Temple
4. Tekitha - Back To 36 (Take It Back)
5. La The Darkman & RZA - Wu World Order (Instrumental)
6. U-God - Rumble (Instrumental) (Prod. By True Master)
7. RZA - Instrumental #1
8. RZA - Instrumental #2
9. RZA - Instrumental #3
10. RZA - Jungle Instrumental #1
11. RZA - Jungle Instrumental #2
12. RZA - Jungle Instrumental #3
13. La The Darkman & RZA - Wu World Order (Chorus Acapella)
14. RZA - Jungle Instrumental #4

Download


-- Thomas V

Hot 97 Radio Freestyles (1996)

Here's a bootleg 12" that I recently picked up. It featured 5 freestyles, live & uncensored, recorded at Hot 97 in 1996. The first freestyle is a 20 minute cypher with Cappadonna, Ghostface Killah, Timbo King, and U-God. It follows with two freestyles from A Tribe Called Quest(With Consequence). The next freestyle is from Nas & Cormega. Nas was promoting "It Was Written" and Cormega had just signed to Def Jam. The last freestyle is from Ruck & Rock of Heltah Skeltah.

A1. Wu Tang Clan - Freestyle (Feat. Cappadonna, Ghostface Killah, Timbo King, & U-God)
B1. A Tribe Called Quest - Freestyle #1 (Feat. Consequence)
B2. A Tribe Called Quest - Freestyle #2 (Feat. Consequence)
B3. Nas - Freestyle (Feat. Cormega)
B4. Heltah Skeltah - Freestyle

Download

-- Thomas V

Soul Kid Klik

Soul Kid Klik, a hip-hop crew based in the Bronx, was formed in the early 90's. The members are G-Clef, Infamous, Blakspik, Goodfella Mike G, Storm the Ghetto Mutant, Malik Kahaar Ali, Skinslaya and DJ Spinbad. It all got started when original member G-Clef released an album with his group Ghetto Philharmonic (G-Clef, DJ Spinbad, B-Natural) in 1994. The album released by Tuff City was supposed to come out in 1993 but only came out late in 1994. After problems with Tuff City, Ghetto Philharmonic left the label. After G-Clef became managed by what was then known as GZA Entertainment, which was co-owned by GZA from the Wu-Tang Clan. G-Clef then started to promote his crew Soul Kid Klik. Their first 12" release was "Mortal Kombat" which came out in 1995. It became a minor hit and got spun on underground radio shows. They would release one more 12" single but after problems with GZA, Jay "Wax" Garfield, and even the group, they would eventually disband and abort their album. Only SKK member, Goodfella Mike G, was able to release a solo album in 1996 before the breakup. It's a dark, and raw album that was done by a "real" Sicilian mafioso. In 2002, G-Clef was able re-release all the SKK tracks(demos, unreleased, 12") into one CD. In my opinion, it's an underground classic! Just hardcore, raw, and real!

(1993-94) Ghetto Philharmonic - Hip Hop Be-Bop

Preview of Don't Bite the Concept:

(1994-96) Soul Kid Klik - Invisible Army

Preview of Mortal Kombat:

(1996) Goodfella Mike G - Time to Make Da Pasta

Preview of Strictly Dago:

Props to WhoosainTha49thAmbassador for Mike G

--Thomas V

More Wu VLS

Here's a couple more Wu bangers. Shabazz the Disciple got some decent hype and airplay for his first single,'Death Be the Penalty'(see video below). But not much attention, if any, was paid to his street tale follow up,'Crime Saga'. The intro and interlude, mentioned on the tracklisting here and on the back of the cover, are actually parts of the proceeding tracks on the mp3's.Confusing,I know, I just don't want you to think you're missing something. Check for the sample and video here.

Deadly Darts(bka Box in Hand) is a Ghostface banger, featuring Method Man and Street Life, that might have been left off his Ironman album. Rza goes off on a lyrical gem droppin' tirade on Sunshower, one of my favorite solo Rza cuts.

Fellow Troy poster, STAM, recently uploaded the ODB - Raw Hide vls, so I figured why not bless the blogosphere with that, too. This vinyl also contains the non album cut,Don't You Know Part 2,for you completists out there. STAM also included a real dope and rare Method Man joint called Mr.Meth in that folder. Enjoy.

Crime Saga(Death Be The Penalty-The Sequel)

Physical Side: 1.Red Hook Revelations(introduction)

2.Crime Saga

3.Crime Saga Remix

4.The Last Trumpet(Interlude)

5.Conscious of Sin

Mental Side: 1.Crime Saga Spiritualmental

2.Conscious of Sin Spiritualmental

3.Crime Saga Acapella

download

Sunshower

Side A: 1.Deadly Darts

2.Deadly Darts(instrumental)

Side B: 1.Sunshower

2. Sunshower(instrumental)

download

Raw Hide b/w Don't You Know Pt.2

A-Side: 1. Raw Hide(Clean Version )

2. Don't You Know Part 2(Clean Version)

3. Raw Hide(Clean Instrumental)

4. Don't You Know Part 2(Clean Instrumental)

B-Side: 1. Raw Hide(Dirty Version)

2. Don't You Know Part 2(Dirty Version)

3. Raw Hide(Dirty Instrumental)

4. Don't You Know Part 2(Dirty Instrumental)

download

Download the Crime Saga and Sunshower vls' from mediafire here and check for other Wu vls here

Thanks to STAM at Philaflava for the Ol' Dirty vls

--Verge

"Labels" & "Rainy Dayz" VLS + Sample

Here's two records I found up in a record store for 3$ each, about 5 years ago. The Gza mix of Labels was the one used for his 1st solo album and was also the b-side of the Liquid Swords single. And the Rainy Dayz remix is a necessity to any Wu fan's crate. Check the sample for the Rainy Dayz remix here and check here for more Wu vls.

Labels

Side One: Labels - Gza Mix

1.Original

2.Clean

3.Instrumental

Side Two: Labels - Rza Mix

1.Original

2.Clean

3.Instrumental

4.Acapella

download

Rainy Dayz

Side One: Rainy Dayz

1.Clean Album Version

2.Remix Clean

Side Two: Rainy Dayz

1.Remix Instrumental

2.Long Dirty Mix

download

Download both VLS' and the sample from [megaupload here]

--Verge

90's Wu-Affliates

KGB - Bless Ya Life

A1.Bless Ya Life (Grim Mix) (Filthy)
A2.Bless Ya Life (Grim Mix) (Clean)
B1.Bless Ya Life (Original) (Filthy)
B2.Bless Ya Life (Original Instrumental)
B3.Bless Ya Life (Original) (Clean)

Download

Classic... When you'll hear the Grim Mix, you'll go nuts!! Produced by 4th Disciple. Ill Knob from KGB would later be featured on "Bust A Slug" by Wu-Syndicate.

Shabazz The Disciple - Death Be The Penalty (CDS)
1.Death Be The Penalty (Original Clean Mix)
2.Death Be The Penalty (Clean Remix)
3.Death Be The Penalty (Instrumental)
4.Death Be The Penalty (Accapella)
5.Righteous Chamber (Interlude)
6.Conscious of Sin (Vocal)
7.Conscious of Sin (Instrumental)
8.Conscious of Sin (Accapella)
9.Death Be The Penalty (Remix Instrumental)
Download

Shabazz The Disciple released "The Book of Shabazz" in 2003 which featured all his old tracks. For some reasons, they didn't include "Death Be The Penalty" and "Conscious of Sin". "Death Be The Penalty" was produced by 4th Disciple and remixed by Charlemagne. Definitely a Wu-Classic!

Dark Skinned Assassin - Lock Shit Down
A1.Lock Shit Down (Radio Mix)
A2.Lock Shit Down (Raw Mix)
A3.Lock Shit Down (Instrumental)
A4.The Horror (Radio Mix)
B1.Gotta Get The Creme (Radio Mix)
B2.Gotta Get The Creme (Raw Mix)
B3.Gotta Get The Creme (Instrumental)
Download

Dark Skinned Assassin was a rapper affliated with GP Wu. It was produced by RNS but there's a rumor according to Ego Trip that "Lock Shit Down" was produced by DJ Premier.

Ruthless Bastards - Murder We Wrote
A1.Murder We Wrote (Radio)
A2.Murder We Wrote (Street)
A3.Murder We Wrote (Instrumental)
B1.Ruthless Bastards (Radio)
B2.Ruthless Bastards (Street)
B3.Ruthless Bastards (Instrumental)
B4.Ruthless Bastards (Accapella)
Download

The crazy thing about this is that the Self-Titled B-Side was scratched by DJ Premier in "New York Strait Talk" from "Moment of Truth". "Murder We Wrote" is produced by RNS.

La The Darkman - I Want It All/As the World Turns
A1. i want it all (cents mix) (clean)
A2. i want it all (six july mix) (clean)
A3. i want it all (six july mix) (dirty)
A4. i want it all (cents mix) (instrumental)
B1. as the world turns (dirty) (ft. raekwon)
B2. as the world turns (instrumental)
B3. i want it all (six july mix) (acapella)
Download

Classic... I Want It All was remixed by Carlos "Six July" Broady. "As The World Turns" is produced by 4th Disciple and featured Raekwon. You'll also go nuts when you hear it!

And finally, here's a track by Twelve O'Clock featuring Raekwon that appeared on the Nutty Professor soundtrack in 1996.. Twelve O'Clock was also ODB's cousin.

Twelve O'Clock - Nasty Immigrants featuring Raekwon (Produced by 4th Disciple)
Download

Props to Ho1ogramz for La the Darkman & Shabazz the Disciple

--Thomas V

Sample Compilation 4

This time we start off with one of the greatest intros for a rap song ever."Strange Games and Things" by Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra. EPMD immortalized this song on their banger of an album,"Business As Usual". K-Def also used it effectively for the Real Live joint off of the "High School High" soundtrack. Then, check out the Maze track that Money Boss used, 10 minutes of smoothed out soul that gets pretty heavy 6 minutes in. "Is It Because I'm Black" is another one of those Civil Rights era songs that still holds weight today. Moving along, another beautiful piece of work by the late great Minnie Riperton. I got to say I like No ID's sampling of this the best. And,lastly,we wrap this mix up with one of my favorite RIP dedications ever, Gangstarr's "In Memory of..". Primo chopped the original song up lovely, and Guru delivers some choice story telling rhymes. Enjoy and stay tuned...

01. Strange Games & Things

02. EPMD - Manslaughter

03. Real Live - Get Down For Mine

04. Maze - I Need You(ft.Frankie Beverly)

05. Money Boss Players - Sat. Nite,Sunday Morn.

06. Ryo Kawasaki - Bamboo Child

07. Kool G Rap - It's a Shame(Da Butcher's Mix)

08. Is It Because I'm Black

09. Wu Tang Clan - Hollow Bones

10. Minnie Riperton - Take a Little Trip

11. No ID - Prayer for the Sinners

12. Del - Stress the World

13. Biggie Smalls - Me and My Bitch(og demo mix)

14. Here's That Rainy Day

15. GangStarr - In Memory Of..

download complete compilation here

                                

 

Thanks to godmc for the Biggie demo and thanks to drizzle for the Maze track.

Props to RacquetballGangsta for the Syl and Wu tracks.

--Verge

This ol' clan from Now Born got shit locked...

Back in '94 I was sophomore in high school and I remember every Wednesday I'd rush home to catch The Bum Show, which was a student based hip-hop show out of Broward County, Florida.

For me this was the closest thing I ever had to Stretch & Bob, so having plenty of TDKs around were a necessity. I'd made sure to savor every show by listening to each of them a minimum of 5 times before a new one aired. One day I heard a track I had to immediately go back to. That track was "Now Born Soldiers" and the within the first 10 seconds I could tell this was going to be something that stuck with me. I was right, 14 years later I'm still listening to Now Born Click and I'm still experiencing the same feeling I had then-- the need for more.

The below bio is taken from their Myspace page but it still doesn't quench the thirst. If Ill or Solger are reading this, please know you may not have had the illustrious careers intended, but you've made a lasting impression on many heads and to this day we still yearn for more.

After years in the basements of Staten Island, the Now Born Click burst on the hip hop scene in 1994 with the now classic street anthem 'Now Born Soldiers,' sparking enough lyrical energy that the song still gets spins today. The b-side of that single, 'Mad Sick' became a classic itself and after the demise of Phatwax Records, the NBC signed with Stepsun Records. That partnership led to the release of a 'Now Born Soldiers' remix, but delays in the release schedule forced a frustrated NBC to leave the label with a year. Internal tensions and personal tragedies led the group to break up in 1995. The NBC re-surfaced a few years later, minus a few members, with the single 'X-Fyles' on their own label. The futuristic single 'Movin,'' 'Shaolin Anthem' and many others have also appeared on various mix tapes over the years. A remix of 'Now Born Soldiers' was also recently featured in 2005 MF Doom release 'Special Blends - Volume 2.' Original member 'Ill,' formerly 'Ill God' released the single 'Get the Cream (Stay Bent)' and a few other singles on his own since the group disbanded, while 'Solger,' probably the most recognizable voice in the group, is currently working on some new projects with veteran underground hip hop producer Louie Lake. Stay tuned.....

Now Born Click - Now Born Soldiers / Mad Sick 12"
A1 Now Born Soldiers (Raw Mix) (4:05)
A2 Now Born Soldiers (Instrumental) (3:30)
A3 Now Born Soldiers (Radio Mix) (3:00)
B1 Mad Sick (Raw Mix) (5:15)
B2 Mad Sick (Radio Mix) (4:02)
http://www.zshare.net/download/20272282f84a8bb6/

Now Born Click - Movin' / X-Fyles 12"
A1 Movin' (Radio Version)
A2 Movin' (Raw Version)
A3 Movin' (Instrumental)
B1 X-Fyles (Radio Version)
B2 X-Fyles (Raw Version)
B3 X-Fyles (Instrumental)
http://www.zshare.net/download/20272112c7f724c8/

Bonus Tracks:
Now Born Click - Now Born Soldiers (Remix)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/20274497ddf82940/

Now Born Click - Mad Sick (MF Doom Remix)
http://www.divshare.com/download/5551003-6e4

For more info please visit Now Born Click's Myspace

Download everything from this post, re-upped here.

Shouts to bosmann, kimani, CharlieManson and everyone contributing in the NBC thread.

--Philaflava

Setting It Off, Letting It Off, Beginning...

Welcome to the official blog of Philaflava.com's T.R.O.Y. (They Reminisce Over You) forum. "T.R.O.Y." is of course a reference to Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth's ode to their fallen friend (Trouble T-Roy of Heavy D. and The Boyz). If the previous sentence reads like a foreign language to you, don't fret. The purpose of this blog is to explore and celebrate rap music (especially the overlooked and obscure recordings and artists) from about 1987 to 1997, give or take a few years on either end. We are not purists or elitists, just a bunch of proud rap nerds who revel in sharing our discoveries with anyone willing to listen.

Over at the T.R.O.Y. forum we spend most of our work week discussing artists like Scientifik, Godfather Don, K.M.D, Brand Nubian, Mobb Deep, Souls Of Mischief, Avatar the Articulate, Juggaknots, and the like. This daily effort results in the uploading of songs and albums previously unavailable in formats other than dusty vinyl, some of which are long out of print. We frequently take the time to compile songs that share similar themes or moods. Just as the rap culture of the '90s (think Stretch and Bobbito, Sway & Tech and countless college and mixtape DJs) demanded that a class of obsessed aficionados isolate and organize the rawest tracks floating below the radar for our listening pleasure, the Internet age demands similar vigilance.

Stay tuned - in addition to providing you with a steady stream of links straight outta T.R.O.Y. we will also be posting mixes and analyses exclusive to this blog, as well as keeping an eye out for the best of what the throwback rap blogosphere has to offer. Consider this your one stop shop for "The Rap Of Yore" - just don't ever call it that.

Because we're so glad you found us - below you'll find a little introductory gift I call "Demo Listen Derby." Happy downloading and welcome aboard. --- Thun

DEMO LISTEN DERBY