The Hip-Hop Dojo [Vol. 3]

What up y’all? The Hip-Hop Dojo is back for round 3 and ready to bring you an onslaught of new hip-hop music. This week was dominated by Harry Fraud and Peter Rosenberg. With Rosenberg dropping his New York Renaissance mixtape today, we were provided with a slew of great releases from some of The Big Apple’s best and brightest young emcees. The intro to the tape, is also the first collaboration between Joey Bada$$ and Harry Fraud. “Day In The Life” showcases that throwback flow that Joey and his Pro Era crew have been perfecting since they first entered the game. On the next track from the compilation, Queens collective, World’s Fair, revive the gritty spirit of the ’96 Knicks, harkening back to the heated rivalry between two of the NBA’s toughest squads of the late 90’s. The last single from the tape is Action Bronson‘s “Compliments 2 The Chef” where he spits a few bars about his favorite subject: exquisite food. Anyone else think a remix with Raekwon is in order for this one?

Speaking of New York, we’ve included a nice little project from Jay Shell that all you hip-hop heads will definitely enjoy. Taking quotes from various rap songs about specific spots in NYC, Jay Shell then posted those quotes as signs around the city in the exact locations mentioned. It’s a pretty neat idea that really connects you with the artists and the meaning behind their lyrics. Check out the video after the playlist.

Before we even get to New York though, we have to travel through Chicago. While Martin $ky tries to capture his memories in the form of a “Polaroid,” SaveMoney‘s Sterling Hayes recruits D2G and Kembe X to reflect on some of their own. We then take a brief detour to the Southwest, to visit a “Church” in “West Texas” as Austin native M.I and Blu reveal their struggles with faith. Next up, we have a great new track from California’s Audio Push, who sample the most badass quote of all time, from the greatest show on television, Breaking Bad.

Our next two tracks may have the illest beats to be featured on here this week. The first of these comes in the form of Smith‘s “Don Sh*t”. Smith, who may want to consider using with a more distinctive moniker, absolutely murders the Woodro Skillson (now that’s an awesome name) produced cut alongside Maffew Ragazino. Following that up, we have a dope, chilled-out track from Al-Fatir , where he describes to us the life of a “Man From The Sky.” We also have “Bubble Gum Blues,” a Mac Miller produced cut that features Top Dawg’s Ab-Soul trading bars with Young Money’s Short Dawg. Making his third appearance in the Dojo, is King Chip, with the grimy new track, “Heinous.” At this point, we might as well just give him a key to the building. We’ll have to see if he keeps his streak going next week.

As we approach the home stretch, we decided to take a turn a more “fun” approach towards the remainder of our selections. Wale‘s freestyle over the group’s “Sight of the Sun” definitely fits the bill, and is a refreshing break from the MMG dynamic we’ve been hearing from the DMV native lately. Sol‘s “Dope” is a light and airy track that definitely lives up to its name. Next up, we have Outasight‘s “Remember Me” which is a smooth leftover from his debut album, Nights Like These. Finally, we wrap things up with a two-for-one with Honors English‘s “Insanity Plea Pt. 1 & 2.” Honors English describes life as an artist with integrity and consequently, an outsider looking in. What originally sold me on the track is the incredible lyrics video, which is definitely a must watch.

I hope you guys enjoyed the third edition of The Hip-Hop Dojo. As always, send all submissions and suggestions over to baseer@themusicninja.com.

 CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ALL THE FREE TRACKS

’Martin $ky – Polaroid’

’Sterling Hayes – Retrospect ft. D2G x Kembe X (prod. Antydote)’
’Joey Bada$$ – “Day In The Life” (Prod. By Harry Fraud)’
’World’s Fair – ’96 Knicks !!’
’M.I – Church West Texas (ft. Blu)’
’Audio Push – Red Wine Remedies (Feat. Kent M$ney)’
’Eddie B feat. AG Da Coroner & Meyhem Lauren – “Michael Landon” (Prod. By Harry Fraud)’
’Action Bronson – Compliments 2 The Chef feat. Lauriana Mae (Prod. by Harry Fraud)’
’ScienZe – The Answer (prod. Lord Quest)’
’Young Roddy – Life Ft Curren$y’
’Rome Cee x Greenspan – The Harvest (prod. August Flight Gordon)’
’OnCue – Live Forever (feat. Skizzy Mars) (prod. by Mike Kuz)’
’Smith – Don Sh*t (feat. Maffew Ragazino) (Prod. Woodro Skillson)’
’Al Fatir – Man From The Sky’
’Ab Soul & Short Dawg – Bubble Gum Blues (prod. Larry Fisherman)’
’King Chip – Heinous ft. Tezo’
’Sol – Dope (Prod. by The Zillas)’
’fun. – Sight of the Sun Freestyle Ft. Wale’
’Outasight – Remember Me’
’Honors English
Insanity Plea ft. Joe Budden Part 1 and 2 (The Complete Saga)’

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[Hip-Hop] Mac Miller – Confessions of a Cash Register (Feat. Prodigy) (Prod. Alchemist & Larry Fisherman)

Mac Miller recruits one half of Mobb Deep for his latest offering. Produced by Alchemist and Larry Fisherman (Mac’s alter-ego), the song diverges toward a much different aesthetic than we’re accustomed to from the Pittsburgh native. Prodigy and Mac both flex their lyrical dexterity as they detail their accounts of a convenience store robbery, making this one of the more clever and mature Mac Miller tracks to date. It’s definitely been interesting tracking his progress over the last few months since he first established his SoundCloud account. Mac’s next album, Watching Movies With The Sound Off should be dropping soon.

’Confessions of a Cash Register (feat. Prodigy) (prod. Alchemist & Larry Fisherman)’
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[Hip-Hop] Mac Miller – All The Time ft. Ab-Soul (Prod. Chuck Inglish)

When thinking about emcees to watch in 2013, Mac Miller and Ab-Soul are most certainly near the top of the list. On this recent collaboration, Pittsburgh’s Mac goes in with a slow and staggered flow over some wavy, minimal production from Chuck Inglish, while the LA-based Soul brings some smooth melodies. Grab this free gem below and expect this to be a special year for hip-hop.

’Mac Miller – All The Time (feat. Ab
Soul)’
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[Hip-Hop] Mac Miller – Dog Pound (feat. Waka Flocka Flame)

Mac Miller has been keeping his buzz steady on the interwebs with each newly leaked track. Recently he teamed up with Waka Flocka Flame to drop some heat and a new sound with the DJ Dani produced single “Dog Pound”. This chill, laid-back tune is not only enticing with its haunting background vocals and smooth drum rip, but definitely unexpected from the usually turnt-up rapper Flocka. Both emcees come correct over this organic beat. Although this track will not be featured on Miller’s upcoming effort, it is available as a free download. Check it below:

’Dog Pound (Ft. Waka Flocka Flame)’
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[Hip-Hop] Mac Miller – These Dayz (Dope Awprah)

“Yall gonna think im weird as shit” -tweeted indie rapper Mac Miller last night after dropping his latest release, “These Dayz (Dope Awprah).” Under the alter-ego Larry Fisherman, the self-produced track is an avante-garde take on a new sound. Although it is rare to come across rap alter-egos, it is another demonstration of an artist’s creativity coupled with a little crazy. The atmospheric, Miller-sung opera background vocals are more experimental than lyrically dope allowing the emcee to vent about the pressures of fame. Ending with a metaphysical rant, this is definitely something unexpected from the pun-heavy rapper.

Stream and download the unconventional “These Dayz” below and look out for Mac’s collaborative EP with PharrellThe Pink Slime EP, which is due out soon.

Larry Fisherman - These Dayz (Dope Awprah) (prod. Larry Fisherman)
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[LIST] Hip-Hop Cash Kings: The Richest Rappers

Forbes recently released a list of 2012’s hip-hop “Cash Kings,” ranking the rap world’s top earners. Snagging the #1 spot was Dr. Dre, who wrangled up a whopping $110 million — half of which can be attributed to his Beats by Dre headphone brand. The West Coast producer and emcee was joined by #2 Diddy (buoyed by his Ciroc vodka), #3 Jay-Z (his money raked in from number of places, like the Brooklyn Nets) and #4 Kanye (reaping much of the benefits from Watch The Throne). Eminem, who hasn’t exactly been a popular face for corporate endorsements and sponsorships, still placed at #9, bolstered by his music, selling more albums in the last 10 years than any artist. What are your thoughts, ninjas?

1. Dr. Dre – $110 million
2. Diddy – $45 million
3. Jay-Z – $38 million
4. Kanye West – $35 million
5. Lil Wayne – $27 million
6. Drake – $20.5 million
7. Birdman – $20 million
8. Nicki Minaj – $15.5 million
9. Eminem – $15 million
10. Ludacris – $12 million

Check out the full list after the jump.
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[Hip-Hop] Talib Kweli – Attack The Block (Mixtape)

Talib Kweli is one of the lyrical masters of the game, so when he puts out free music, it’s a good idea to pay attention. Attack The Block may serve as a teaser to his upcoming album, Prisoner of Conscious, but it’s definitely a standout project all on its own. The 18-track project features verses from an eclectic group of artists including Black Thought, Lil Wayne, Mac Miller, Ryan Leslie, Ab-Soul, Das Racist, and even more. It’s this diverse selection of artists that really makes the mixtape distinctive from Kweli’s previous ventures.

’Talib Kweli – Congregation ft. Black Thought & Ab
Soul (Prod. by J Rhodes)’

’Talib Kweli – Outstanding ft. Ryan Leslie (Prod. by Boi
1da)’

’Talib Kweli – Earning Potential ft. Mac Miller (Prod. by Amadeus)’

’Talib Kweli – I Like It ft. Das Racist (Prod. by OhNo)’

’Talib Kweli – Celebrate ft. Mack Maine & Lil Wayne’

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