T.R.O.Y.

The Redefinition Of Time Travel #2 w/ Kevin Beacham

Posted: 05 Feb 2009 02:00 PM PST

The Redefinition Of Time Travel #2: A Kool G Rap classic

Kool G Rap "I Declare War"
By now, if you are a internet savvy '80s Hip Hop fiend, you are probably aware about the Juice Crew EP of unreleased gems that just dropped [all Produced By Marley Marl]. I don't know if there is info out there on the year this was done but I'd say early '88 based on the style, some of the references, and I'm guessing that sped up "Terrorist" scratch in the intro is from "Juice Crew All Stars" ('87).

The third verse is definitely the best and where he flexes the style that originally made him recognized as one of the greats. It's essentially a battle rap challenging anyone in the industry with lines like, "Point out any rapper and I'll diss em" or "I got a track for every rapper on the map".

The line that left the biggest impression on me was his "I'm Kool G Rap, you can call me G. I'm not scared of any K, any J, or any D". Immediately when I heard that I thought of it as a challenge to others with "Cool" names, particularly "Cool J" and "Kool D" (who had a record on Wildpitch in '88). I haven't been able to figure who the Kool K is…maybe Kool Keith? (I'm probably reaching there). Of course this is all speculation but it seems logical by using those particular letters that he is being specific, that could be one of the reasons why the song was never released, who knows. I put the job on some other blogger to interview Kool G Rap about that….ha
I Declare War: http://www.sendspace.com/file/y6jcxk

Peep this week's Redef Radio show for more joints:
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/programs/redefinition_radio/

Also, this week on Time Travel:
1)Stony Island-Basement Seasoning '93
2)East Of The Rock-Mr Producer '94
3)Ang 13-No Contest '95
4)AZ and Amar Freestyle '95
5)Presence-Time Travel Freestyle ''99
6)Da Great Deity Dah-Time Travel Promo '97?

Peep the joints and in-depth artist/song descriptions here:
http://www.myspace.com/timetravelradio

-Kevin Beacham

Regional Obscurities - Houston,TX

Posted: 05 Feb 2009 03:00 AM PST

Pioneers like The Geto Boys and K-Rino are probably the first names that come to your mind when thinking of Houston hip hop. Don't forget Houston is also the birthplace of one of your favorite producers ever, Primo.

But in this compilation,we're going to get a little deeper than the obvious. This was put together by one of our most prolific posters at the T.R.O.Y. forum, Markshot. He was kind enough to include info on all these artists as well. In fact, he was so thorough with it, there's no way we could post it all. So, we posted some info and the rest is in the download.

1. Point Blank - On Point

2. M.U.C.H. Posse - On Fondren

3. Klass C - What Hood Is That

4. Trinity Garden Cartel - Charge It To The Game

5. Lil Rascal - You Gone Ride Feat. Criminal Elament & Trigga

6. Nuwine - Kroket America

7. 4 Deep - Can't Turn Back

8. Madd Hatta - Trunk-O-Funk

9. Godfather - My Stelo Feat. The Problemed Child

10. Klondike Kat - Hustler

11. Big 50 - Everyday

12. Livin' Illegal - Confess

13. Big Mello - Love Don't Love Nobody

14. Gangsta Profile - CWW

15. 4 Deep - True Blue Brother

16. Soutern Funk Playas - Playa Hata

17. D Of Trinity Garden Cartel - Nigga Luck

18. Big 50 - Funk Flow

19. J-Roll - Ya'll Go Feel Me

20. Botany Boys - Cloverland

21. Gangsta Profile - Caddilac Action

22. The Infamous X-Mann - Mobbin The Town

23. Crime Boss - Unsolved Mysteries

Peep some samples:

- Point Blank is originally a rapper from Chicago, IL but later moved to Houston, TX in 1990 and joined the South Park Coalition (S.P.C.). Since then, he has been one of the hardest rappers in the click. He is known for his raw and uncut delivery. He is also the founder of the group Wreckless Klan.

This was off his debut album that was released in 1992 on Bigtyme Recordz.

Production on this dope album was done by Point Blank himself along with Pimp C of UGK, K-Rino, Triple 6 and Egypt E.

- Trinity Garden Cartel, after their first album dropped in 1992 on Cartel Records, their second and very controversial album was released in 1994 on Rap-A-Lot Records.

The government banned the album due to photographs of Houston Police being portrayed in a negative way and because of its lyrical content.

Despite the fact that it was banned, the record still managed to sell over one hundred thousand units.

- 4 Deep is a trio which consists of Klas' One (MC) and two brothers, Koo Rod (MC) and Big Boss (Producer). The group has released several albums,first one on Power Artist Records and the rest on Albatross Records. All albums are entirely produced by Big Boss,who passed away due to kidney failure in late 2006.

- Madd Hatta a.k.a. Mista Madd is not only a rapper and producer, he's also well respected radio DJ in Texas and the host of the Houston-based radio talk show "Madd Hatta Morning Show".

He released 3 albums, "All About Me" in 1995, "Serious" in 1996 and "The pH Factor" in 1997. He is owner of Houston based hip-hop recording label, Paid In Full Entertainment.

- Klondike Kat has been in the game for over 20 years and is one of the rap legends in Houston.

Kat is a pure lyricist as well as a producer and R&B song writer/producer.

He joined the S.P.C. in 1992, but he has always been a well respected artist long before that.

He dropped his 1st ep "The Lyrical Lion" in 1993.

- Big Mello is a rapper from Hiram Clarke in Houston, TX. He is known for his hard street style and gangster delivery. This was his debut album and was released in 1992 on Rap-A-Lot Records.

He went on to release 4 more albums, some of which are considered classics in the south.

Big Mello passed away on June 16, 2002. It is said that he lost control of his car and hit a pillar, killing both himself and a passenger. He was 33 years old. Both Z-Ro and Scarface have released separate tribute songs to honor his passing. He is regarded as one of the true soldiers to have ever stepped in the game. Rest in peace Big Mello.

- D is a rapper from Trinity Garden, which is located on the northside of Houston, TX.

D and his homie J.F. started Cartel Records in the early 90's. D was also the leader of the infamous group, Trinity Garden Cartel. The track from this mix is from his first album, Game Done Changed, dropped in 1995 on Cartel Records. D is in prison right now and is serving a 25 year sentence.

Download compilation and complete info here

Mad props to Markshot for putting this compilation together complete with a wealth of information about all the artists on it.

-- Verge