Saturday, April 24, 2010

Friday, April 23, 2010

Uno Tres Nueve

I know EDAS must be seem like "Dead Rapper Central" right now, but I can't think of the number 139 without thinking of Big L. From 139th Street and Lenox Avenue, an area known as the Dangerzone, hails quite possibly the fiercest and most resilient rapper in the history of the game. Lamont Coleman or Big L has the sickest flow in the history of flows. His murder is still unsolved, but most likely it was either retaliation for something his brother did in jail, or a jealous freestyle opponent who just got entirely embarrassed at the hands of L.   


Song #139: Big L - Put It On


BONUS SONG: Big L -'98 Freestyle

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

R.I.P. Guru

Two days ago, the world Hip-Hop community lost a dedicated and pioneering figure, Keith "Guru" Elam. About a month ago, Guru was rushed to the hospital for undetermined reasons and he ended up in a week-long coma. After a short recovery it looked like things were on the up and up, however news came Monday that he had succumbed to some sort of Cancer. He was 43.

As a member of Gang Starr, his unique flow combined with the epic turntable skills of DJ Premier to create one of the strongest and most respected groups in Rap. In fact, I remember Gang Starr being one of the first rap groups to cross over from their core group of Hip Hop Heads, into the new genre of Urban Sk8r Kids. That paved the way for a lot of other conscious rappers like KRS-ONE and Jurassic 5 to find new audiences to listen to and appreciate their music. 

Guru hailed from the Roxbury Section of Boston, (a place where I  have spent time, and can vouch for how ghetto and dangerous it is) but his message spread across the country and even the world. After a disbanding Gang Starr, he continued to blend genres with his Rap/Soul/Funk/RnB fusion albums, Guru's Jazzmattaz. On those records he worked with such varied greats as Isaac Hayes, Donald Byrd, Erykah Badu, Jamiroquai, Herbie Hancock and The Roots. His eclectic mix of influences were extremely evident on these releases and it helped to cement his place as one of the more dependable and versatile MC's in the game. 

I know a ton of people, myself included, who are just heartbroken to hear the news of Guru's passing. His lyrics inspire a code of conduct that goes way beyond the streets into every day life, regardless of your socio-eco-political standing. The outpouring of love and support since his death only goes to show the effect his music had on people. It is up to us to make sure his music will live on. R.I.P. Guru.


Song #137: Gang Starr - Moment of Truth

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

4/20

Happy 4/20 
If you are into that kind of thing, like apparently this guy is. 
No wonder this idiot is in jail. 
Also is it just me or do I see the mark of Harry Potter?
In researching the history of the counter-culture Holiday that is 4/20 (a.k.a. Hitler's Birthday and the Anniversary of the Columbine School Shooting) I came across this little gem on the Wikipedia entry for 420 (Apparently, it has already been taken down). I was shocked to see a quote from the best and lurchiest president ever, Abraham Lincoln, who said in 1855, "Two of my favorite things are sitting on my front porch smoking a pipe of sweet hemp, and playing my Hohner harmonica." Wow, smoking up and playing the harmonica... Sounds like another one of our National Heroes...
 
Anyway... Forget those two bums, the real American Hero (and I'm not talking about G.I. Joe) for today, is the one and only Superfreak himself... Enjoy today (and all other days) safely and responsibly. 

Song #420 #136: Rick James - Mary Jane

Monday, April 19, 2010

VOLCANO

VOLCANO!

I can't believe we're dealing with a Volcano here. If the Eyjafjallajokul (yes, Eyjafjallajokul) Volcano would have erupted when I was 8 or 9, I would have had a completely uncontrollable Spazz-Out. Before the internet, Volcanoes were the coolest thing in the world. In fact, I call that period of my life my Lava Years. This was bound to happen to counterbalance all the adjustments being made by the constant Earthquakes. Hmm, there's really no way to write or read this post so far without being gently reminded of the Apocalypse. Probably best to move on.

In my opinion, some of the biggest victims are the Coachella Music Festival goers in Indo, California. Due to the Volcano, most of their European Acts such as Bad Lieutenant, Delphic, Frightened Rabbit, The Cribs, and Gary Numan all had to cancel.  Luckily here at EDAS, we keep all our Musicians safe in a series of nice little hard drives where they can never be harmed, unless I drop them, or spill on them, or I get a virus, or if it gets really humid, or if it comes into contact with any natural disaster, or stolen... Hmm, is anything safe anymore? Not when there's a Volcano on the loose.


Song # 135: The Band - Volcano 

BONUS SONG! You know I wouldn't leave you without a Volcano appropriate Reggae song for Rasta Mon-Day. Here is Fire Burning from my personal favorite, Bob Andy. The song comes fresh of the wax in this one. Listen to that warm hiss and crackle of the vinyl.

BONUS SONG: Bob Andy - Fire Burning

Sunday, April 18, 2010

The Bishop Don "Magic" Juan


This is one of the only songs I know that features a little hook by an actual Pimp, not a wannabe Pimp. Don Magic Juan is historically one of the most famous Flesh-Peddlers when you consider his appearances in "American Pimp" and "Pimps Up, Hoes Down." He has parlayed his street corner fame into quite the little career once he hooked up with Snoop. You can see his IMDB page is filled with roles in The Wash, The Man Show and many other things. Snoop also let him into one of my favorite movies,
Old School. Here's the song without Frank "The Tank" going Streaking at the end.



Song #134: Snoop Dogg featuring Don "Magic" Juan - Paper'd Up