New mixer in full effect. Dr Dre headphones in full effect. Birthday presents in full effect. With hearing and volume fully-restored to my audio, I took my toys up to the Underground Railroad to throw it down.

DJ A to the L
The Underground Railroad, live on WVFS 89.7 (8/15/09)

Rapidshare download link here

TRACKLIST:
01) Outasight – Brand New Day
02) Kool Keith – Thug Or What
03) Demigodz – Don’t You Even Go There
04) Headnodic ft Zion 1 – Now A Daze
05) Depakote – I Hold
06) J-Live - One For The Griot
07) Jazz Liberatorz – The Return
08) Medina Green – Crosstown Beef
09) The ARE – Million
10) Amanda Diva – Right Now
11) Butta Team ft Big Daddy Kane & Little Brother – Welcome To Durham
12) Asheru – Soon Come
13) Daru – Hold On Somebody
14) DJ Revolution ft KRS-One – The DJ
15) Fat Joe – The Shit Is Real (Remix)
16) Freddie Joachim – And You Don’t Stop
17) Foreign Exchange – Brave New World
18) Louis Logic – Watching You
19) Shabazz The Disciple – Red Hook Day
20) R-Kitech ft Buckshot & Keith Murray – No Props
21) Saukrates ft Common – Play Dis
22) Tha 4orce – Damned If I Do
23) Depakote – Artery
24) Mr Lif – Triangular Warfare
25) Depakote – Rets
AMOND JACKSON INTERVIEW
26) DJ Premier – Sing Like Bilal
27) Jay-Z – Can’t Cheat Death
28) Illegal ft Erick Sermon – We Getz Busy
29) Illegal – Head Or Gut
30) Channel Live ft KRS-One – Mad Izm
31) EPMD – The Big Payback (Remix)
32) Redman – Time 4 Sum Aksion
33) Main Source – Looking At The Front Door
34) Naughty By Nature – Its On
35) Public Enemy – Night Of The Living Baseheads
36) Showbiz & AG – Party Groove
37) Stezo – Its My Turn
38) Eric B & Rakim – Don’t Sweat The Technique
39) Gang Starr – Who’s Gonna Take The Weight
40) 3rd Bass – Portrait Of The Artist As A Hood
41) Biz Markie – This Is Something For The Radio
42) Eric B & Rakim – Follow The Leader
43) LL Cool J – Jingling Baby
44) Public Enemy – Welcome To The Terrordome
45) Big Daddy Kane – Raw
46) Organized Konfusion – Walk Into The Sun (Remix)
47) Hijack The Badman Is Robbin’
48) MC Duke & DJ Leader One – I’m Riffin’
49) MC Duke & DJ Leader One – The Final Conflict
50) Caveman – Fry You Like Fish
51) Ty – Wait A Minute
52) Big Daddy Kane – Warm It Up Kane
ARIEL INTERVIEW
53) Eric B & Rakim – Know The Ledge
54) Pete Rock & CL Smooth – The Creator
55) Public Enemy – Can’t Do Nuttin For Ya Man

WVFS. DJ A to the L. Primo Set. With added requests. Yes. (Now with added Rapidshare download link.)

(I actually think this shit turned out pretty nice.)

DJ A to the L
The Underground Railroad, live on WVFS 89.7 (8/8/09)

Rapidshare download link here

TRACKLIST:
01) Jay-Z – Where I’m From
02) DITC – The Enemy
03) KRS-One – Rappaz R N Danja
04) D&D All-Stars – 1, 2 Pass It
05) D&D All-Stars – 1, 2 Pass It (Remix)
06) Jeru The Damaja – Come Clean
07) O.C. – War Games
08) Afu Ra ft GZA – Big Acts, Little Acts
09) Gang Starr – You Know My Steez
10) A Tribe Called Quest – Check The Rhime
11) World Renown – How Nice I Am
12) Gang Starr – A Long Way To Go
13) Rakim - It’s Been A Long Time
14) KRS-One – KRS-One Attacks
15) MOP – Stick To Ya Gunz
16) Notorious BIG – Unbelievable
17) Freddie Foxxx – A Part Of My Life
18) Ghostface – Return Of The Iron Man
19) Group Home – Livin’ Proof
20) Jeru The Damaja – Ya Playin’ Yaself
21) Lox – Recognize
22) Blaq Poet – Ain’t Nuttin Changed
23) Charli Baltimore – Everybody Wanna Know
24) Ed OG – Saying Something
25) Gang Starr – 2 Deep
26) MC Lyte – Wonder Years
27) ODB – Pop Shots
28) Fat Joe – The Shit Is Real (Remix)
29) Jay-Z – So Ghetto
30) Nas – Nas Is Like
31) Royce Da 5-9 – Boom
32) Gang Starr – Full Clip
33) Theresa – I Want To Know Ya Better
34) Gang Starr – Dwyck
35) Gang Starr – Mass Appeal
36) Gang Starr – Soliloquay Of Chaos
37) Gang Starr – Speak Ya Clout
38) Tha Alkaholiks – Make Room
39) Powell – Coded Language
40) Public Enemy – Get The Fuck Outta Dodge
41) Beastie Boys - Jimmy James
42) Gang Starr – Step In The Arena
43) Gang Starr – Words I Manifest
44) Jeru The Damaja – Can’t Stop The Prophet
45) Jeru The Damaja – Can’t Stop The Prophet (Pete Rock Remix)
46) Rakim – When I Be On The Mic
47) Pitch Black – Its All Real
48) Gang Starr – Now You’re Mine
49) Gang Starr – Skillz
50) Nutrageous ft Blaq Poet – Nuts & Screws
51) EPMD – Crossover
52) Kenny Dope – Boomin’ In Ya Jeep
53) Nice & Smooth – Funky For You
54) Above The Law – VSOP
55) Boogie Down Productions - Jimmy
56) Diamond D – Yo That’s That Shit
57) Slick Rick ft Raekwon – Why Why Why
58) Special Ed – I’m The Magnificent (Remix)
59) Three Times Dope – Mr Sandman
60) Black Moon – Who Got The Props
61) Craig G – Droppin’ Science
62) Frankie Cutlass – Puerto Rico
63) G.Dep – Special Delivery
64) Jungle Brothers – Straight Out The Jungle
65) K-Def – Ain’t No Crime
66) Superlover Cee & Casanova Rud – Girls I Got Em Locked
67) The Roots – Don’t Say Nuthin’
68) Tracey Lee – The Theme

New music from Tarrus Riley – ‘Love’s Contagious’ is the first single from his upcoming album “Contagious”, and uses the ‘Coming In From The Cold’ riddim. “Contagious” is out now on VP Records.

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Download link: Tarrus Riley – Love’s Contagious

Saving the digital trees by combining a full weekend of shows into one post. A to the L is for the environment. (Obviously this will make this a loooooooooooooong ass post, so exercise your scroll finger.)

Friday, July 24th saw me holding down Home Team Friday with DJ Storm at Blazin’ 102.3, and with it being a ‘rep your city’ situation I peppered my mix with tracks by local cats (Stess The Emcee, Monticello Mo, Lil Country, SBE, Merc & Dead Broke, and M Beezy)

DJ A to the L
Home Team Friday, live on Blazin’ 102.3 (07/24/09)

TRACKLIST:
01) Intro
02) Notorious BIG – Juicy (Flashing Lights Remix)
03) Durrough – Ice Cream Paint Job
04) Taje ft Glasses Malone & Balance – Only In California
05) Tony Toni Tone ft DJ Quik – Lets Get Down
06) Jay Rock ft Lil Wayne – All My Life
07) NWA – Straight Outta Compton
08) Cassie – Me & U
09) Busta Rhymes – Light Your Ass On Fire
10) Stess The Emcee – Rippin’ Emcees
11) D4L – I’m The Man
12) Big Kuntry – Swavor
13) Butch – We Just Havin’ Fun
14) Drake ft Lil Wayne & Santogold – Unstoppable (Remix)
15) Fat B – Popcorn
16) Amante De Prez ft OJ Da Juiceman – Hand Itchy
17) Cadillac Don & J-Money – Peanut Butter & Jelly
18) Gorilla Zoe – What It Is
19) Soulja Boy – Turn My Swag On
20) Young Jeezy – Turn My Swag On (Remix)
21) Monticello Mo – I’m Da Shit
22) Young Buck – Get Buck
23) Rich Boy – Throw Some D’s
24) Kanye West – Throw Some D’s (Remix)
25) Baby ft Lil Wayne & T-Pain – Know What I’m Doin’
26) Big Will – Phone Home
27) Gucci Mane – Pillz (Bitch I Might Be)
28) E-40 ft T-Pain – Give Her The Keys
29) SBE – Whachulike
30) Gucci Boyz – Blow Mah Mind
31) Militant Military – All Da Way Live
32) Fabolous – Young’n (Holla Back)
33) E-40 ft Lil Jon – Turf Drop
34) Nas ft Ginuwine – U Owe Me
35) Trick Daddy – Lights Off
36) Tony Touch – Dimelo
37) DJ Khaled – We Taking Over
38) Pitbull ft Trina – Go Girl
39) Tampa Tony – Can’t Juke Without Me
40) Janet Jackson – Pleasure Principle
41) Common – Universal Mind Control
42) Robin Thicke – I Wanna Love You Girl
43) Iconz – Get Crunked Up
44) Ginuwine ft Timbaland & Missy Elliott – Get Involved
45) Pitbull – I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)
46) Bucketheads – Bomb (These Sounds Fall Into My Mind)
47) Prince – When Doves Cry
48) World Class Wreckin’ Cru – Surgery
49) Undisputed Truth – Smiling Faces Sometimes
50) Baltimore Horns
51) Lloyd – Get It Shawty
52) DJ Class – I’m The Shit
53) Trick Daddy ft Trina & Ying Yang Twina – Down Wit Da South
54) Jeremih – Birthday Sex
55) Jube – On My Way
56) LMC vs U2 – Take Me To The Clouds Above
57) Yung Joc – Its Goin’ Down
58) Lil Jon – Baltimore Anthem
59) DJ Khaled – We Taking Over
60) Lil Country – Come On Girl
61) T-Pain – Dancefloor
62) M Beezy – Holton Street Hop
63) Cookie Crew – Got To Keep On
64) Coldplay – Viva La Vida
65) Ghost Town DJs – My Boo
66) Nina Sky – On Some Bullshit
67) M Beezy ft T-Pain – Tonite Tonite Tonite
68) Outkast – Bombs Over Bagdhad
69) Monticello Mo – They Want Mo
70) Stess The Emcee – I Know That I’m Fly
71) Merc & Dead Broke Records – Peanuts
ARTIST INTERVIEW: Baby K
72) Baby K – You Ain’t Never Seen
73) The Dream – Rockin’ That Thing
74) D’Angelo – Brown Sugar
75) Baby & Lil Wayne – Always Strapped
76) Jay-Z – Dirt Off Your Shoulder
77) Tugboat – 8-Bit Remix
78) T.I. – What You Know About That
79) Scarface – High Powered

Saturday, July 25th, I upped and move stations, over to WVFS and the Underground Railroad, where the vibe got a little rawer and edgier

DJ A to the L
The Underground Railroad, live on WVFS 89.7 (07/25/09)

TRACKLIST:
01) Intro
02) Nas – On The Real
03) E Bros – Funky Piano
04) Red – Pictures On The Wall
05) Clipse ft Pharrell – I’m Good
06) Mr Green – Sky’s The Limit
07) Pacewon – Children Sing
08) Rodney P – Riddim Killa
09) Stevo – Interlude
10) Big Shug – Better
11) Count Bass D – Antemedian
12) Jake One ft Freeway & Brother Ali- The Truth
13) Pacewon – Childhood
14) Apani B Fly ft C Rayz Walz & Rasheed – Perspective
15) AZ – Rap Fanatic
16) Depakote – Feet Up
17) El Da Sensai – In Da Lab
18) Junior Panfast – Tell Them To Get Their Bones Ready
19) Little Brother – Good Clothes
20) Mr Green – Childhoods
21) Notorious BIG – Ready To Die
22) Slum Brothers – Stop Fronting
23) Smoothe Da Hustler – Broken Language
24) Skyzoo ft Wale – Lyrically Inclined
25) The Lone Wolf – Kakalak All-Stars
26) Wizard – Face Down
27) Buckshot Lefonque – Breakfast At Dennys
28) Dr Octagon – Blue Flowers
29) Camp Lo – Coolie High (Remix)
30) Kasha – Black Rhyme
31) Mr Green – Big Loud
32) Notorious BIG ft Method Man – The What
33) OC ft Yvette Michelle – Far From Yours
34) RA The Rugged Man ft Sadat X – 50,000 Heads
35) Set2 ft Illa J – R U Listenin’
36) Charles Hamilton – A Pimp’s Friends Request
37) The Tones – Dreamtalk
38) Timbo King, Dreddy Kruger, Ghostface Killah, Killa Sin, Shyheim, Tekitha – Soul In The Hole
39) Artifacts – Flexi Wit Da Technique
40) Mobb Deep – Temperature’s Rising
41) DITC – The Enemy
42) Mr Green – All I Need
43) Onyx – Last Days
44) Roots Manuca – Dreamy Days
45) Mr Green – Flying Saucer
46) Stess The Emcee – Sail Along
47) Buckshot – Follow My Lead
48) Ali Vegas ft Young TRL – Dislike
49) Jeru The Damaja – Come Clean
50) The ARE – When You’re Down
51) Apathy – Can’t Nobody
52) Cee-Rock The Fury ft Timid – Lyssen Up
53) Damu The Fudgemunk – Coffee Table

I then rounded off the weekend on Sunday night, back at Blazin’ with Stess The Emcee for Diggin’ In The Crates. You know the deal with this show by now – nothing but classics for a solid two hours.

DJ A to the L
Diggin’ In The Crates, live on Blazin’ 102.3 (07/26/09)

TRACKLIST:
01) The DOC – It Ain’t Funky Enough
02) The Beatnuts – Props Over Here
03) Black Sheep – North South East West
04) Fugees – Fugee La
05) Junior Money – Get Money
06) Boogie Down Productions – Criminal Minded
07) Chi Ali – Age Ain’t Nothin’ But a #
08) Mobb Deep – Shook Ones Pt II
09) Nas – Nas Is Like
10) Naughty By Nature – Written On Ya Kitten
11) Pete Rock & CL Smooth – In The House
12) A Tribe Called Quest – Check The Rhime
13) World Renown – How Nice I Am
14) Gang Starr – A Long Way To Go
15) Biz Markie – I’m The Biz Markie
16) James Brown – Poppa Don’t Take No Mess
17) Biz Markie – The Vapors
18) Jeru The Damaja – D Original
19) Keith Murray – Get Lifted
20) Mos Def – Mathematics
21) Notorious BIG – Unbelievable
22) Outkast – Player’s Ball
23) Biz Markie – Pickin’ Boogers
24) A Tribe Called Quest – The Chase Part 2
25) Jay-Z – Can’t Knock The Hustle
26) Notorious BIG – One More Chance (Old School Remix)
27) K-Solo – Your Moms In My Business
28) LL Cool J – Doin’ It
29) Masta Ace – The B-Side
30) Mobb Deep – Drop A Gem On Em
31) Mobb Deep – Survival Of The Fittest
32) Q-Tip – Let’s Ride
33) Fat Boys – Can You Feel it
34) Nine – Any Emcee
35) NWA – Express Yourself
36) Biz Markie – Make The Music With Your Mouth
37) Gang Starr – Code Of The Streets
38) KRS-One – Return Of The Boom Bap
39) Lootpack – WhenI’mOnDaMic
40) Tha Alkaholiks ft ODB – Hiphop Drunkies
41) Big L – Platinum Plus
42) The O’Jays – Give The People What They Want
43) EPMD – Give The People
44) Kool G Rap – On The Run (Al Capone Mix)
45) LL Cool J – Big Ole Butt
46) LL Cool J – Rock The Bells
47) Onyx – Slam
48) Run DMC – Down With The King
49) Run DMC – King Of Rock
50) Run DMC – Soul To Rock’n'Roll
51) Beastie Boys – The New Style
52) Beastie Boys – Alive
53) Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five – The Message
54) Kwame – The Rhythm
55) 6th Sense – Bringin’ ’88 Back
56) Run DMC – Sucker MCs

Blaq Poet, a Queensbridge, NY native, first made a name for himself in 1987, entering his name into the legendary battle of Queens vs. The Bronx with his song ‘Beat You Down’, a scathing attack on KRS-One. Blaq Poet’s refusal to dilute his subject matter or soften his cadence attracted the interest of rap’s most legendary producer, DJ Premier, who inked Blaq Poet to his Year Round Records label. Blaq Poet’s new album, “Tha Blaqprint”, has recently been released by Year Round Records via Fat Beats Distribution.

Talk about the new album “Tha Blaqprint”…

BP: We got a bomb on our hands. It’s real good.

Who is on the album as far as cameos?

BP: We got Nore, Lil Fame, NYG’z who are my labelmates. We kept it small and in the family.

How did you end up signing to DJ Premier’s label, Year Round records?

BP: When Primo started his label we had just got back in touch with each other. He told me he was trying to start a label and I was like let’s get it popping. He held me down and we worked on “Tha Blaqprint”. Now we got it ready for y’all.

How is DJ Premier in the studio?

BP: It’s crazy! You never know what he’s going to do. He’ll take bits and pieces of sounds all over the place. He got the turntable. He got the MPC. He’s fucking with some other shit. He’s all over the place. The man is like the mad scientist in the lab.

What other projects are you working on?

BP: A few things: mixtapes, another album. I stay working and making joints. I’m trying to get on the road again. See what’s going on on the road and overseas.

Let’s go back a bit. How did Screwball come about?

BP: That was the nickname of my best friend. I made his nickname into the group. I got mad dudes around [Queens]bridge at the time, to represent with me and be Screwball.

How did you guys get the record deal with Tommy Boy?

BP: We got that deal with Tommy Boy through Hydra entertainment. My man Jerry, Mike Heron did the footwork on that and we got the deal.

How was it working with Mike Heron, Pete Rock, Godfather Don and the producers on the album?

BP: It was crazy really. At the time it was crazy hip hop right there. We were making fire and we had to lace something on that fire.

Why did you guys leave the label on the second album in 2001?

BP: They had problems with the next deal. We had to make the next move and keep it popping.

Go back further. How did you and DJ Hot Day form PHD back in 1991?

BP: Well you know. I got down with Hot Day because he was the next Marley Marl. Coming up at the time from neighborhood DJs; at the time you know emcees and DJ were teaming up to make groups and shit like that. Like Gangstarr: Primo and Guru, Marley and MC Shan, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince shit like that. Let’s be Poet and Hot Day.

I thought it was one way for us to change shit up and come out with ‘I’m Flippin’ and Hot Day and I got busy. We just changed it up a little bit. We just incorporated my name Poet P and his name Hot Day HD. We made up PHD the highest degree in street knowledge. (laughs).

We did our thing at Tuff City. We recorded ‘I’m Flippin’ and did an album over there. It popped off without warning. He went his way to do his mixtapes and shit. I went my way to keep popping.

How did you guys get the deal with Tuff City records?

BP: Hot Day was grinding out. Hot Day made that happen with Tuff City.

Who are some of your influences as an emcee?

BP: Kool Moe Dee, Treacherous Three, Crash Crew, Fearless Four, Furious Five, Run DMC. All the illest – know what I mean? The illest niggas… Kool G Rap, Slick Rick.

Legendary Corona, Queens, New York producer & DJ Dr. Butcher is best known for working with Kool G Rap, Akinyele and the X-Ecutioners. With a new EP entitled “Ringtone Madness” about to drop, he took time out to speak to William Hernandez…

Talk about your new EP “Ringtone Madness”.

Ringtone Madness is a collection of vintage trax that I had in my archives and decided to release via Domination Recordings.

Do you have any more material from the mid 90′s in the vaults and if yes do you plan to release them?

Absolutely. I am going to release an EP called “The Butcher Shop of Horror” that will feature past and present material along with a few up an coming vocalist.

Can you talk about your history as a DJ and working with Queens legends such as LL Cool J, Kool G Rap, and Akineyle?

Well, my history with LL Cool J goes back to high school and my days as a rapper. We were in a group together. I later produced a song on his “14 Shot’s to the Dome” LP called ‘Soul Survivor’ but that’s about it. We don’t talk much nowadays but we are still best of friends.

I’ve been DJing and producing for Kool G Rap ever since “Wanted Dead or Alive”. He became aware of my turntable skills just as production began and requested that I attend all of the recording sessions. I did scratches for over half the album with ‘Kool is Back’ and ‘Death Wish’ being my favorite two songs.

With regards to Ak, I replaced Rob Swift as his tour DJ. Rob wanted to pursue the whole X-Ecutioner situation and asked if I would fill his spot. He was a little nervous about leaving but felt it was what he had to do. I was Large Professor’s DJ at the time and while we waited for Geffen Records to get his situation off the ground I would fill in for Rob. Because Large’s deal never evolved into what he expected I found myself traveling more and more with Ak. I eventually became his main DJ/producer as well.

How did you make the transition from DJ to producer?

It was a gradual thing. Large let me borrow one of his SP 1200′s and taught me how to chop beats. Once I felt comfortable with my production I began shopping beats. The rest is history.

How did the song ‘The Butcher Shop’ come about on Kool G Rap’s first album and how the production process behind it?

Marley Marl produced that record. He did the scratches as well. G Rap already had it in his mind that he wanted a turntablist to accompany Polo but hadn’t found anyone to fill the position. He wanted the DJ to be named Dr. Butcher, hence ‘The Butcher Shop’…

How did the X-Ecutioners come together and how did you take Rob Swift under your wing?

Rob and I were working together long before the X-Men/X-Ecutioners evolved. We met via JuJu of the Beatnuts and have been best friends ever since. He told me that he wanted to compete and I told him that I could help if he was willing to dedicate his entire existence to practicing. He did and it paid off.

We later met the Xmen (Steve D, Roc Raida, Sean C, Big D, Johnny Cash, Fatman Scoop) and decided to become one unit. The group’s popularity grew and they were offered record deals with Asphodel, Def America, and Sony/Loud. Because of the groups relationship with Sean C who at the time was an A/R for Loud records they decided to sign with Steve Rifkin. The name “X-Men” became a copyright issue so they changed it to “X-Ecutioners”.

Equipment wise what are you using for music production?

I use the Emu Ultra Platinum, MPC 2000XL, and various keyboards.

You did production on both Kool G Rap album’s “4,5,6″ and “Roots of Evil”. Which do you consider your best work out of both.

I can’t say. I put my all into each project and I am happy with the results from both.

How was the production process on “Roots of Evil”, being that Kool G Rap was living in Phoenix, AZ at the time?nDid the location influence the outcome of the album?

Location didn’t have any ill effects on the recording process. We recorded most of the album in AZ but mixed in LA/NY. As for the production process, it was my first time in AZ so I was pretty excited about being out of the city. That inspired me to work. G Rap lived in a nice area so I would get up and go driving every morning just to view homes. It was a very relaxing environment that was great for creating. Most of the music production was completed in NY prior to going to AZ. After writing to about 3-4 tracks, G Rap flew myself and CJ Moore out there to mix and produce the album.

Why weren’t you involved in any of the X-Ecutioners albums and which is the best in your opinion?

What do you mean by involved? I was involved with every Xecutioner
album with regards to production but not as a turntablist.

I saw recently the video for Akineyle’s ‘The Bomb’ and saw you came out in the video. What do you remember about the video shot that day?

Did you really? I have never appeared in any music videos! Didn’t you know they call me Dr. Butcher aka
“Seldom Seen”? My preference is to stay out of the limelight.

What are your thoughts on today’s generation of DJs, and in your eyes what makes a good DJ?

Hmmmm… I don’t know if I have any thoughts on today’s DJs. I’m not familiar with any up and comers. I always ask Rob if there is anyone to look out for and his answer has been no. I look for innovation and because of the internet/dvds/youtube I think the art has dissipated. I’m sure there’s someone out there creating some sickness and I look forward to seeing it.

What makes a good DJ? Dedication. If you ask any great DJ he will tell you that he spent countless hours practicing. That in my opinion makes a good DJ.

Who are some of your influences as a DJ?

That’s a two part answer.

Directly – Cut Creator (the original), AC Vinni Vince, Disco Twins, C4 and the X-Men of course.

Indirectly – Flash, DS.T, Cash Money, Jazzy Jeff, Cut Master DC, Aladdin, Barry B, Q-Bert, Mix Master Mike, and the Supermen.

Which were your favorite records to use in a DJ battle/routine?

‘Welcome to the Terrordome’, ‘Pump Me Up’, ‘AJ Scratch’, ‘Catch the Beat’… to name a few.

Did you ever have any issues clearing samples?

Of course. Brook Benton wouldn’t let me use his music for a Kool G Rap produced song called ‘Check the Bitch’ and understandably so!

The 6-track EP titled “Ringtone Madness” features instrumentals from the good doctor that is a gift to all the true hip hop fans that are tired of the typical wack ringtone.

Tracklisting:
1. Timeless
2. Pick It Up, Pick It Up
3. The Message
4. 1-800-BUTCHER
5. We Don’t Stop
6. No 1’s Home

2 hours of Diggin’ In The Crates style fuckery brought to you by the letters A and L, the one E-Zone, and the other Stess. Nothing much else to say, is there?

DJ A to the L
Diggin’ In The Crates, live on Blazin’ 102.3 (07/12/09)

TRACKLIST:
01) Jay-Z – PSA
02) Notorious BIG – Flava In Ya Ear (Remix)
03) Soul II Soul – Keep On Movin’
04) Aaliyah – If Your Girl Only Knew
05) Busta Rhymes – Woo Hah! Got You All In Check
06) Common – I Used To Love H.E.R.
07) D’Angelo – Devil’s Pie
08) EPMD – Hardcore
09) Gravediggaz – Nowhere To Run To, Nowhere To Hide
10) Mad Lion ft KRS-One – Double Trouble (Remix)
11) Masta Ace – Born To Roll
12) Masta Ace – Sittin’ On Chrome
13) De La Soul ft Common – The Bizness
14) Redman – Tonight’s The Night
15) A Tribe Called Quest – Bonita Applebum
16) Gina Thompson – The Things You Do
17) Public Enemy – Shut Em Down (Remix)
18) Wu-Tang Clan – Can It All Be So Simple
19) Beastie Boys – Paul Revere
20) Lox – Recognize
21) Whodini – One Love
22) Big Daddy Kane – Smooth Operator
23) Ice Cube – You Know How We Do It
24) Damu The Fudgemunk – Work In Progress
25) Common – Resurrection
26) Jeru The Damaja – D Original
27) Ol’ Dirty Bastard – Pop Shots
28) Smif N Wessun – Wrekonize
29) Smif N Wessun – Sound Bwoy Burriel (Remix)
30) En Vogue – Hold On
31) Gang Starr – DWYCK
32) Lords Of The Underground – Funky Child
33) MC Shan – The Bridge
34) MC Lyte – Stop, Look, Listen
35) Wrecks-N-Effect – Rumpshaker
36) Special Ed – I Got It Made
37) A Tribe Called Quest – Check The Rhime
38) 45 King – Joint 10
39) Boogie Down Productions – South Bronx
40) Crooklyn Dodgers – Crooklyn
41) Channel Live ft KRS-One – Mad Izm
42) Sadat X – The Lump Lump
43) A Tribe Called Quest – Electric Relaxation
44) Ghostface Killah – Daytona 500
45) Juganot ft Joell Ortiz & Uncle Murder – EnWhyCee
46) Lords Of The Underground – Here Come The Lords
47) Public Enemy – Rebel Without A Pause
48) Public Enemy – Don’t Believe The Hype
49) Public Enemy – Prophets Of Rage
50) Public Enemy – Public Enemy Number One
51) Gang Starr – Now You’re Mine
52) Heavy D & The Boyz – The Overweight Lover’s In The House
53) Kool G Rap & DJ Polo – Its A Demo
54) Naughty By Nature – Hiphop Hooray
55) Run DMC – Run’s House
56) Run DMC – Soul To Rock’N'Roll
57) Superlover Cee & Casanova Rud – Girls I Got Em Locked
58) Willis Drummond – Its A Stick Up
59) Black Moon – Who Got The Props
60) G Dep – Special Delivery

This post by ex-RMHH head, Blockhead, over at his Def Jux blog is so on-point it ain’t even funny…

Text below… go here for the pretty version with pics…

A common misconception about me (in the music world at least) is that I’m a DJ. While I do, in fact, “DJ” in the ‘I-play-songs-at-bars-for-people’ kinda way. I possess none of the skills of an actual DJ: I can’t really blend records, I don’t scratch, all I can do is pick songs and play them. Pretty simple.

Due to this misconception about me I’ve been given opportunities over the years to “DJ”, which has allowed me to make some easy money going to a bar and playing music for people while they drink. Sometimes it’s been in a bigger forum but most of the time it’s some low profile type shit. I prefer it that way cause, like I said, I’m not a DJ.

When I first started getting these gigs I really didn’t have a clue about the mindset one must enter when going into DJing. “Rocking A Party” was something I had never considered. To my mind it was; “I’m gonna play what ever I like and people will like it cause I have good taste.” This was my first mistake.

My first consistent gig was a party called ‘Block Bleeda’ the premise of which, was that I would play only ignorant and offensive rap. I was all about this, so I made a shit load of CD’s (they had CD turntables) of rap you couldn’t play around your mom and, about halfway through the night, I realized this just wasn’t gonna work. The first thing I learned was that people leave a place when they don’t like the music. Secondly I learned that in most cases, girls dictate what music you’re playing and girls, for the most part, are not crazy about Geto Boy album cuts about slapping women, who knew?

I also got my first taste of something that in the past few years has become the bane of my existence as a DJ, requests (I’ll get back to this later). All of these things combined caused me to seriously reevaluate my whole approach as a DJ. The truth is, a DJ is only as good as his crowd and nine times out of ten you’re playing for the lowest common denominator. When I started I thought I could play shit people had never heard and on the strength of the songs goodness, it would go over. Boy, was I ever wrong.

I mean, there are times when that flies, like when people are just chilling and drinking in a sitting position. However, the second dancing starts, all bets are off, dancing forces a reluctant DJ’s hand like nothing else. I could be playing rare soul b-sides all night to the delight of a small yet faithful crowd but as soon some dumb asshole offers up a shitty request and I actually go along with it, it’s a wrap. As soon as a girl hears a song her and her friends love, a song that they have, in all likelihood, heard a bazillion times (and would skip over if it came on in their Ipod) and they start dancing the playlist is forever changed. As a DJ, it’s my job to keep these people here, keep them happy, keep them drinking, and keep them dancing. I am no more than a glorified juke box or a sorority girl’s itunes on random.

I recently considered making a sign to put above my head when I DJ that would read something like this:

“Requests will be heard but rarely accepted. Please save your breath and don’t bother requesting anything on this list:
-House Music
-Techno Music
-Lil’ Wayne
-T-pain
-Madonna
-Reggeaton
-Dancehall (Sorry, I just hate that shit)
-Any music I’ve had a part in making
-99% of music made after 2004

I don’t own any of this shit and, even if I did, I would not play it.

Also, try and stay within genre when thinking of requests. If I’m playing hip hop, it’s unlikely I’ll be mixing in some ABBA anytime soon. If I’m playing a dance set, don’t ask to hear some slow shit. Simply put, use your fucking head.

Thank you and please leave me alone.”

I’m sure it wouldn’t go over well (or even get noticed) but it would be fun to have to point at when one of those things was inevitably requested.

Requests almost always suck. 9/10 requests are when some drunk girl walks up to you (almost always with her sheepish boyfriend trailing) fake flirting so you can play some jersey shore party boat anthem for her and her stupid friends. Other times, it’s people requesting songs that I simply refuse to believe anyone needs to hear. Last week I was DJing and the night was waning, not much dancing going on and people were basically chilling. At which point, some dude requested ‘jump around’ and ‘Nothing But A G Thing.’ Both great songs, obviously, but do you REALLY ever need to hear them again? I actually said that to the guy and he was like, “Yeah, I guess you’re right…”

I know how drunk people are, something happens to a person when they get drunk and they only wanna hear the most familiar shit. Or, to take it a step further, they want to hear the most familiar and corny shit. Some of the most successful (at party rocking) bar DJ’s I know stick to strictly guilty pleasure songs. I’m not stranger to that, trust me when I say I’d way sooner play ‘The Thong Song’ than anything that’s on the radio right now.

It’s hard to have a backbone in DJing anymore because people are programed to only want to hear certain songs, any deviation from those songs and you’re walking on thin ice. Not to be too wistful, but back in the day, I could have sworn DJ’s broke records and people gave shit a chance before getting in a huff and requesting the safest song possible.

Here’s an example of what it’s like DJing nowadays:

I DJ’d the night Michael Jackson died. While I was bummed about his passing (not too bummed because, you know, famous people die too), I also knew that I would be playing a whole lotta M.J. that night, not a problem, M.J. made dope music. I usually play a few of his songs regardless of him being alive or dead. In a weird selfish DJ kinda way, I was relieved it was him who died and not some asshole like Mariah Carey or Madonna. The thought of having to play that bullshit for a bunch of weepy idiots would be enough for me to call in sick.

Anyway, I get on around 11 and immediately people are requesting MJ. I knew this was coming but I also had planned on doing an hour or 2 of his shit a little later. You know, let the people get drunk and then drop it on them like everyone in the room isn’t 100% expecting it. However, as these requests came in I had just got on and didn’t want to blow my load. I told all the people this and they were like “but I’m leaving soooooon!” In my mind, that meant “You’re not buying anymore drinks and thusly, are not of importance to me.” Eventually, I cracked and got into the MJ set earlier then I had hoped and, of course, people went nuts.

I was playing Jackson 5 shit all the way up to ‘Black and White’ (I draw the line after that). Now, here’s the revealing part; During this hour plus MJ set, no less than 4 people came up to me, WHILE I’M PLAYING NOTHING BUT MJ and said, “Yo, dude, you should really play some Michael Jackson.” Yes…that happened…over and over again.

The moral of the story is, most people are complete fucking imbeciles and most DJ’s are music snob-pricks and yet, in order for this to all work, we gotta meet halfway. To be a successful DJ, you gotta eat a little shit..but you also have to draw the line somewhere. So, next time you’re out and you decide it’s your duty to let the DJ know what you feel like hearing, take a deep breath and reconsider. If, after that breath, you still feel the need, do so as nicely and painlessly as possible:

Suggest a song.

If he has it, he might play it. If not, you tried and no harm was done.

DO NOT hang out by the DJ booth brainstorming the name of that Ashanti song you love because you need a “replacement request” for the one that just got nixed.

Let it go and accept your loss.

Trust me, it’s for the better.

With all this, you may wonder why I even bother. Well, it’s because when I DJ, at the end of the night, I feel like I’ve made a difference.

The difference of dance.

Just kidding, they pay me and I love money.

On a side note, I do have a weekly dj gig in NYC.

My friend Baby Dayliner and I spin on thursday nights at “Anchor Bar” on 310 spring st (off hudson). It’s free. $4 buds, $6 well drinks.

We promote dancing. Come through and get drunk with us while we try to play music that’s not the worst shit on earth.

Happy Mixdependence Day! Here’s some music to bang while you’re grilling up that hog anus. Hot off the press (the mix, not the anus.)

Enuff! © Slick Rick

(Tracklist under the fold.)

DJ A to the L
Mixdependence Day Weekend, live on Blazin’ 102.3 (07/04/09)

TRACKLIST:
01) Mary J Blige – Be Happy
02) Geto Boys – Mind Playing Tricks On Me
03) Erro – Rock Wit U
04) Groove Theory – Tell Me (BKNY R&B Mix)
05) Jay-Z – Girl’s Best Friend
06) Kenny Dope – Down For My Crown
07) Take 6 – Spread Love (45 King Remix)
08) Notorious BIG – One More Chance (Hiphop Mix)
09) Notorious BIG – One More Chance (Stay With Me)
10) Chuckii Booker – Games
11) Juvenile – Ha
12) Baby ft Clipse – What Happened To That Boy
13) TLC – Baby Baby Baby
14) Warren G – This DJ
15) Aaliyah – Rock The Boat
15) Aaliyah – Try Again
16) Ryan Leslie ft Cassie – Addiction
17) Guy – Tell Me What You Like
18) Usher – Think Of You
19) Mobb Deep – Still Shinin’
20) Michael Jackson – You Rock My World
21) Mobb Deep – Burn
22) Outkast – Miss Jackson
23) Clipse – Grindin’
24) Eve – Who’s That Girl
25) Method Man ft Mary J Blige – You’re All I Need To Get By (Puffy Mix)
26) Tony Yayo – Pimpin’
27) Michael Jackson – Butterflies
28) Common – The Light
29) Diddy ft Nicole Scherzinger – Come To Me
30) Mannie Fresh – Real Big
31) Rick Ross – Trilla
32) Jay-Z – I Just Wanna Love You
33) Jackson 5 – I Want You Back
34) Naughty By Nature – OPP
35) Salt N Pepa – Tramp
36) Snoop Dogg – Still A G Thang
37) Sunshine Anderson – Heard It All Before
38) Xzibit – Multiply
39) Goodie Mob – Get Rich To This

Stepping into the Blazin’ studios on a Thursday instead of a Sunday is always a bit weird. Couple this with the fact that I was coming off just over 6 hours of sleep in 3 and half days, and its not surprising that by the end of this session I thought it was Wednesday. Somehow though, despite the lack of zzzzz, this mix turned out alright – a little ropey near the end, as my ears started playing some tricks on me (insert Gold Medal Flour reference here) – but overall I was pretty pleased with the end result. Definitely a different look to the Diggin’ In The Crates experience too! (Tracklist after the jump.)

DJ A to the L
The Represent Mix, live on Blazin’ 102.3 (07/02/09)

TRACKLIST:
01) Mr Vegas – Pull Up
02) Eric B & Rakim – Know The Ledge
03) Michael Jackson – Rock With You
04) Michael Jackson – Remember The Time
05) Missy Elliott – Pass That Dutch
06) J.Dash – Wop
07) BlakJak ft T-Pain – Ball Out
08) Fast ft Grind Mode – I Can’t Wait
09) David Bowie – Let’s Dance
10) Janet Jackson – What Have You Done For Me Lately
11) Alexander O’Neal – Criticize
12) Thrill Da Playa – Slide
13) Ballgreezy – Shone
14) AYB Force – Endless Dawn
15) Syleena Johnson – Go
16) Pitbull ft Twista – Hit The Floor
17) Rob Base – Get On The Dance Floor
18) Jackson 5 – Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)
19) Nappy Roots – Headz Up
20) Grind Mode – She’s So Fly (I’m So High)
21) Trick Daddy ft Cee-Lo – Sugar (Gimme Some)
22) Michael Jackson – Smooth Criminal
23) Young Cash – I’m A Freak
24) Janet Jackson – Rock With U
25) Killer Mike – My Chrome
26) B.O.B. – Wait Your Turn
27) Big Will – The Future
28) Piccalo – Stick & Roll
29) Michael Jackson – Mama Say
30) Jube – On My Way
31) T-Pain – Dancefloor
32) Outkast – Ghetto Musick
33) Shareefa – I Need A Boss
34) Michael Jackson – MJ Rockin’
35) Nina Sky – On Some Bullshit
36) Prince – I Would Die 4 U
37) Three 6 Mafia, Young Buck, 8Ball & MJG – Stay Fly
38) Ace Boon Coon ft Rick Ross & Young Dro – Fruity (Got Me Gone)
39) Art of Noise – Moments in Love
40) B.O.B. – Haterz Everywhere