deeDJ | DJ News, Equipment and Reviews

Young Jeezy’s acting debut in the Ice Cube and Mike Epps comedy, Janky Promoters, will bypass the big screen and make its way directly to DVD.

Don’t be embarrassed if you have no idea how to pronounce DJ Dbekeft’s name, or really anything about him, that’s what we’re here for. First off, feel free to just call him DJ DB. Second, DB’s an avid turntablist, b-boy and producer whose often genre bending style has attracted some of the dopest emcees in the game. Need an example? How about Boston’s lyrical duo of Termanology and Reks going in over DB’s always quality production on the new, aptly named track Raised on Classics. Recorded while Term and Reks were on tour in the Czech Republic (check a map), Raised on Classics is everything you’d hope for from a trio of this caliber: production filled with scratches that could only come from a true DJ and verses that pay homage to some of hip-hop’s legends without missing a beat. If you were also raised on the classics be sure to check out DJ DB’s upcoming DJ Dbekeft Project, which currently has no release date.

Three quick facts about Freeway, the rap king of Philly’s streets: One, his real name is Leslie Pridgen (good call on the name change). Two, after a long-running and deep association with Roc-a-Fella, Free’s now signed to Cash Money Records. Three, after a slew of guest appearances (check him back up Sha Stimuli on Move Back), Freeway’s now undeniably Going Places, and he’s bringing Booth newcomers Playboi and Jakk Frost along for the ride. A strangely produced cut courtesy of B. Moon that sounds distinctly cinematic, lyrically Going Places features Free straying from his more grinding roots and good-but-not-great contributions from Playboi and Jakk Frost (who sounds like James Earl Jones if he rapped). Far be it for me to stand in the man’s way, but musically speaking, I’m frankly not sure I like the places Free’s going. Going Places will ambiguously be part of an untitled project with no set release date. Looks like you’ll just have to stay tuned to DJBooth.net for more. 

Opinion was divided over Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ last offering, Otherside, a joint dedicated to cutting down the “drugs make you more creative” myth, but I’d be surprised if the Booth responds to their latest song Crew Cuts with the same kind of love ‘em or hate ‘em comments. A track built around a guitar riff sample and Run DMC-esque percussion – you can thank producer Ryan Lewis for that – Crew Cuts lyrically features Macklemore and his partner in rhyme Xperience waxing nostalgic about a time when British Knights were the ish, people still played tapes and, of course, fades and crew cuts were the hairstyles of choice. It may not be revolutionary hip-hop, but with a highly entertaining theme (for 80’s babies at least), quality production and solid rhymes, it’s hard not to at least enjoy Crew Cuts. For more hair-raising hip-hop (I apologize, that was a terrible pun) be sure to check out Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ VS. EP, available now.

When I was young, my father sat me down on his lap, looked me in the eye, and said “Richard, if you remember one thing I tell you, let it be this: the artist who rocks the dancefloor rules the world.” OK, OK, I made that up, but that doesn’t make it any less true. Club crowds don’t lie, and when Steph Jones handed a copy of new single Galactic 2 to the DJ at his local spot, the audience response to its inaugural spin was so tremendous that he was inspired to ring up our own DJ Z and tell him all about it. It’s not hard to see why: producers Kadis & Sean deliver an absolute scorcher of a beat, brimming with reverb-drenched percussion and eardrum-massaging electronic accents, while Steph and Teach Me How to Jerk twosome Audio Push seal the deal with a downright entrancing blend of sung vocals and driving flows. Will Galactic make as big an impression in the Booth as it did on the dancefloor? Here’s hoping – a record that gets the thumbs up from both liquored-up clubgoers and our discerning readership is bound to be a monster hit. Fans can hear more from Steph Jones on his new Gravity Lifetape, available now for free download.

DJ K.O.‘s first feature, the Ina-A-Gadda-Da-Vida-sampling D A M A G E, wasn’t quite a knockout in the Booth; many readers found the track’s street-ready sound a little too raw for their taste. Unfazed, the Jersey native’s back on our frontpage for round two, this time with something a little bit smoother. New single Just So You Know is a ladies jam with old-school flair, backed by the soulful, spacey sampled boardwork of Appreciation producer Analogic. New Elementality signee MadKem mans the mic this time around, using weed, wine, bourbon and plenty of lusty come-ons to put a not-exactly-single shorty at ease: “If you’re tired of your old man, I can be your new one… bottles, got some, gonna make your ass c*me.” If you like your hip-hop steamy, laid-back and retro-informed, this just might be your jam. If not, you’re sure to find something else to your liking among the diverse styles and sounds K.O. will showcase on the December 15 release of Living Out a State of Mind (Vol.2), the second of 12 in his ongoing, monthly EP series.

Those who aren’t tuned into the Arkansas indie scene may not be familiar with Suga City, but that shouldn’t be the case for much longer. The up-and-coming rap duo recently introduced themselves to gamers across the nation via megahit Xbox 360/PS3/Windows title Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Even if you don’t have a current-generation console or a souped-up PC, it’s easy to appreciate the New New style emcees Arkansas Bo and Goines bring to this soundtrack inclusion/mixtape single. Over Kwestion‘s street-certified organ/synth-brass boardwork, Suga City announce their intent to revolutionize the formerly-wack rap game, ushering the genre into a new era of freshness. That’s a tall order – are they up to the challenge? I’m going to go ahead and say “yes,” mostly because I’m impressed with their ability to work the word “haberdashery” into a rap verse, but I’ll let Booth readers have the final say. Those who like what they’re hearing can find this track and much more on the duo’s new Black Friday mixtape, released this past Friday (if you hadn’t guessed) and available now online.

If his latest feature is to be believed, Rich Boy may soon have to revise his stage name. Unreleased cut We Like It, leaked via Twitter this past Friday, finds the Alabama mainstay and singer/songwriter Rico Love so enchanted by a mysterious female that they’re willing to empty their pocketbooks to get her to take it all off. Jim Jonsin gets bodies moving with a chilly, club-ready beat packed with plenty of his signature synth burbles as Rich Boy delivers his scatterbrained tale of stunting, seduction and chemically-assisted debauchery: “Haters losin’, women choosin’, look my rims are so amusin’/ get that paper, keep it movin’, I’m so high this sh*t’s confusing.” As you’d expect, Rico Love excels in the wingman/hookman role, topping the record off with a memorable, sing-along chorus. Fans have been waiting quite a while for word on Rich Boy’s forthcoming sophomore album but, if the rapper continues turning in new material this ear-pleasing, it can’t be much longer till the gears start moving. Keep it locked to the Booth for all the latest!

As promised by Lupe, here’s his latest mixtape, Enemy Of the State : A Love Story.
Click here to download
01 Intro 02 The National Anthem (Radiohead) 03 All The Way Turnt Up (Travis Porter) 04 Fireman (Lil Wayne) 05 L.A.S.E.R.S. Manifesto Interlude 06 Angels (Remix) (Dirty Money) 07 So Ghetto (Jay-Z) 08 Say Something (Timbaland) 09 Thank You (Jay-Z) 10 The One (Slaughterhouse) 11 Popular Demand (Clipse) 12 HP (…)

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Hip Hop News

King Magazine covergirl Tahiry Jose recently spoke on her working relationship with 50 Cent and responded to negative references directed toward her from ex-boyfriend, Joe Budden.