Day 249: Rewind It Back - Dead Presidents II (Classic)

Jay-Z - Dead Presidents II


Lately, I've been digging through my library of old Hip-Hop tracks (as you can probably tell) trying to  find what artists/songs inspired me to become so engulfed with this type of music. I came across Dead Presidents by Jay-Z, and was like dam... this is one of them. As I was listening to the track over & over again, it reminded me of a nicer & simpler time. The beat and rhymes put me in such a calm/relaxed state of mind that I didn't even need to smoke to get there.

Along with finding what inspires me, I've been doing research on the type of samples artists used from back in the day and trying to understand how they mixed it into such a nice Hip-Hop beat. Just a heads up, the sample Jay-Z used for this track was taken from the song below:

Lonnie Liston Smith - Garden of Peace


Such an awesome melody btw.. I can listen to this instrumental forever.

Slowly but surely, one of my music goals is to eventually learn how to sample and cut up music, and be good at it.. #StayingMotivated

Day 248: Nike "Flight Night" Event at the Montalban Rooftop (Events)

- Dunk of the night by a d00d name "TRUE"

2-25-12 (Hollywood, CA) - I had nothing better to do Saturday evening, so I went to check out this Nike "Flight Night" event with my homie Rex4000. It was a chill event full of shoe displays, a live 3pt shooting and dunk contest (in light of NBA All-Star Weekend), and a performance with some LA natives, Casey Veggies and Dom Kennedy.

It was a cool performance but it didn't seem like a performance at the same time. Felt more like an audition because it was just Casey & Dom up there with their DJ (Drewbyrd), but all n all it was still dope.

More coverage and a video of Dom & Casey performing "CDC" right here >>> UNCVR

Day 247: Happy bday to J Dilla, a Hip-Hop genius (Tribute)

- Stussy Documentary: Part 2
- Stussy Documentary: Part 3

Happy bday to J Dilla. He was a musical genius, a Hip-Hop architect, and one of the greatest beat-makers there ever lived. He was so insanely-talented at making hip-hop beats and cutting/mixing samples that people considered him "alien." Like he was from another planet or something to come up with the beats he created.

For those in New York, there will be a tribute party for J Dilla called Donuts are Forever happening on Feb 19th. It looks like this has been happening for a while as this will be the 6th year they've held this tribute for J Dilla. I encourage everyone in NY to go, especially if you love hip-hop or just music in general.

More info here: hiphopwired.com

RIP J Dilla.

Day 246: Rewind It Back - Cash Rules Everything Around Me... C.R.E.A.M. (Music Video)

Wu-Tang - C.R.E.A.M.


A CLASSIC hit from one of the most influential hip-hop groups in history, Wu-Tang. I'm sure everybody who's anybody has heard this track already.

Take notes and do your research on these guys man as they have a lot of history with their upbringing. If you get a chance, go check out the Rock The Bells concerts because that's where you'll be able to experience true hip-hop at its finest, from the old & new. Some member of the Wu-Tang clan still show up for this show so check it out before they stop coming.

I remember from last year's RTB concert I went to, I got to see Lauryn Hill and Nas perform all their old hits. Such a dope show to be at for real hip-hop fans and just music fans in general, and an awesome atmosphere of hip-hop heads united.

**2/28 update - Sample used for this track:

The Charmells - I'll Never Grow Old