Mello Music Group – Persona [Album]

If the soul of hip-hop belongs to the culture, the skeleton belongs to the independent label. From Sugar Hill to Def Jam, Tommy Boy to Rawkus, Fondle Em to Def Jux, the genre’s best music has been birthed by imprints that brazenly defy the status quo, those who champion fearless artists and always prize quality over commerce. For the last eight years, Mello Music Group has lived by that ethos. If you’re reading these words, you’re inevitably well aware of its ascendance and growing legacy. But more importantly, you know the artists—those singular voices channeling the spirits of the past and spitting premonitions of the future. Boom-bap at its best: evolving and expanding the art form, capturing stories of the struggle, upholding the tradition, and keeping the crooked honest. Persona unveils the murderer’s row that is the Mello roster of 2015. Oddisee, Apollo Brown, yU, L’Orange, Red Pill, Open Mike Eagle, Rapper Big Pooh, Quelle Chris. The stars of the present teamed with timeless innovators like Phonte (Little Brother), Blockhead, Ras Kass, Gift of Gab (Blackalicious), Oh No, Masta Ace, and Bilal Salaam. The result is something that binds current greats with the pioneers who paved the asphalt. It’s both a historical moment and hard as hell. If most compilations are nothing more than a loosely thrown together collection of songs, Persona boasts meticulous focus. These aren’t spare tracks, they’re potent messages and poisonous darts. “Requiem” finds Phonte and Oddisee indicting American racism and Xenophobia with fury and precision. On

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DJ P.R.’s 2014 Year-End List

Here are my favorite project’s of 2014. Leave your thoughts in the c-section. 01. Wu-Tang Clan – A Better Tomorrow [LP] | Stream / Buy 02. Run The Jewels – Run The Jewels 2 [LP] | Stream / Buy 03. PRhyme – PRhyme [LP] | Stream / Buy 04. J. Cole – 2014 Forest Hills Drive [LP] | Stream / Buy 05. Mobb Deep – The Infamous Mobb Deep [LP] | Stream / Buy 06. Jhene Aiko – Souled Out [LP] | Stream / Buy 07. Isaiah Rashad – Cilvia Demo [LP] | Stream / Buy 08. ScHoolboy Q – Oxymoron [LP] | Stream / Buy 09. Ghostface Killah – 36 Seasons [LP] | Stream / Buy 10. Common – Nobody’s Smiling [LP] | Stream / Buy 11. Calez – Ceito [Free LP] | Stream / Download 12. Stalley – Ohio [LP] | Stream / Buy 13. Flying Lotus – You’re Dead [LP] | Stream / Buy 14. Junia-T – Eye See You [Free LP] | Stream / Download 15. Cozz – Cozz & Effect [LP] | Stream / Buy 16. Dilated Peoples – Directors Of Photography [LP] | Stream / Buy 17. Souls Of Mischief – There Is Only Now [LP] | Stream / Buy 18. The Doppelgangaz – Peace Kehd [LP] | Stream / Buy 19. 50 Cent – Animal Ambition: An Untamed Desire To Win [LP] Stream / Buy 20. Black Milk – If There’s A Hell Below [LP] | Stream / Buy 21. YG – My

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TrackBlasters Radio: 22.12.14

Da More Fire Monday – The Correct Flava To Start Your Week Host: DJ P.R. Happy Holidays! Record Of The Day: Substantial feat. Gods’Illa – 360 Degrees Playlist PRhyme feat. Jay Electronica – To Me, To You Black Milk – What It’s Worth **Record Of The Day** Substantial feat. Gods’Illa – 360 Degrees Swerve – Might, As, Well… Termanology – Streetwise Diamond District – Working Weekends (Large Pro Remix) Wu-Tang Clan – A Better Tomorrow **Cookin Soul’s 2014 Xmas Mix** The Jackson 5 – I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus James Brown – Christmas Is Love Donny Hathaway – This Christmas The O’Jays – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Jimmy Jules & Nuclear Soul System – Xmas Done Got Funky Sammy Davis Jr. & Carmen McRae – Baby, It’s Cold Outside Kurtis Blow – Christmas Rappin’ Carla Thomas – Gee Whiz (It’s Christmas) Al Green – I’ll Be Home For Christmas The Staple Singers – Who Took The Merry Out Of Christmas V.A. – My Favourite Time Of The Year The Emotions – What Do The Lonely Do At Christmas Dean Martin – Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow The Stylistics – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas The Jackson 5 – Give Love On Christmas Day The Whispers – Santa Claus Is Coming To Town Binky Griptite – Stone Soul Christmas George Shearing & Billy May – Snowfall/Snowfall Cha-Cha Freddie McGregor – Irie Christmas Sugar Minott – Christmas Time The Treacherous Three – Santa’s Rap

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Diamond District – March On Washington [Album Stream]

When Diamond District dropped In the Ruff on Mello Music Group in 2009, the gritty drums and grimy raps combined as elementally as hydrogen and oxygen. The D.C. Voltron of Oddisee, yU, and X.O. dusted off and revitalized a sound once consigned to the catacombs. Hailed as an instance classic, its impact reverberated throughout the underground and mainstream. The Washington D.C. City Paper called it the city’s best album in many years. During an era when lyricism was deemed too intellectual and samples too dated,Diamond District overturned conventional logic. They preserved the raw and made it righteous. A half-decade later, the holy trinity has returned with March on Washington. The truths remain timeless. Wisdom over rhythm. Slang turned into testament. March On Washington by Diamond District

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TrackBlasters Radio: 01.10.14

Da Wednesday Underground Flava – Underground & Old School Hip Hop Non-Stop Host: DJ P.R. Today’s show includes loads of new music from the likes of Anti-Lilly x Envy Hunter, Streets, Mani Coolin’, J. Lately, Joey Bada$$, Stalley and Diamond D. Enjoy! Record Of The Day: Stalley feat. Rick Ross – Everything A Dope Boy Ever Wanted Playlist Anti-Lilly & Envy Hunter – Hail-Hell Mary Streets – In These Streets Mani Coolin’ feat. Niko G4 – All The Same J. Lately feat. Beejus & Oops – Relax Yourself Five Steez – Welcome Five Steez – Deadly Common feat. Vince Staples – Out On Bail Joey Bada$$ – Get Paid **Record Of The Day** Stalley feat. Rick Ross – Everything A Dope Boy Ever Wanted Jason Dean feat. AZ & Cormega – Not Too Late Skillz – Light Work Diamond D feat. Talib Kweli, Elzhi & Skyzoo – Where’s The Love Diamond District – Lost Cause Run The Jewels – Darling Don’t Cry Dilated Peoples feat. Fashawn, Rapsody, Domo Genesis, Vinnie Paz & Action Bronson – Hallelujah Souls Of Mischief – All You Got Is Your Word Download here (right click and save as…)

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