Yesterday (August 25) on XXL’s UStream show, Spotlight, N.O.R.E. came by the XXL offices and announced that he’ll be working with DJ Premier to remake Gang Starr’s classic track, “Dwyck.”
While sharing some nutcrackers with the XXL staff, one half of C-N-N revealed that for his upcoming solo project, currently titled Superthug, he’ll be collaborating with Premo for an update of “Dwyck,” which appeared on Gang Starr’s seminal 1994 release Hard to Earn. On the original, the late Guru was joined by Nice & Smooth to ride on Premier’s production. For the 2011 version, Nore said that he had yet to select the guests to appear on the record, but he wanted XXL’s input.
“I have not chosen [who to reach out to],” he said. “I would like y’all ideas; who should I put on?” He continued, “Let’s get the new era MCs, let’s give them a chance to pay respect, to pay homage.”
As for the sound of the record, Nore simply stated, “It’s gonna be that beat, redone.”
Be sure to check out our next episode of Spotlight next Wednesday and stay tuned to XXLMag.com for more info on “Dwyck 2011.”
(August 26th, 2010) Babygrande Records is proud to announce the upcoming release of Group Home’s “Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal” on September 28th. Honing their skills for over 20 years, Group Home is back to pay homage to their longtime friend and collaborator, the legendary Guru.
Group Home has unquestionably proven that they are one of the most important groups to come out of hip-hop’s revered “golden age.” Appearing on Gang Starr’s 1994 album “Hard To Earn,” Group Home released their critically acclaimed debut album “Livin’ Proof” in 1995. Now, Lil Dap has returned with partner Melachi The Nutcracker, enlisting the help of legendary hip-hop icons Jeru The Damaja, Lord Jamar (Brand Nubian) & more as well as some unreleased heat from former partner in rhyme Guru himself, to bring experience, perspective and their unique flavor to the game with their new album “G.U.R.U.”
Set for release on September 28th by Babygrande Records, Group Home’s “Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal” is a tribute to the movement that birthed hip-hop’s most celebrated emcees and a must-have for any true fan of hip-hop. (Babygrande)
I also get informed that the first single will be dropping on monday August 30th, the single is called “Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal (G.U.R.U)” and is featuring Jeru the Damaja. I’ve seen the cover somewhere but I lost it, ah well… Lets see what they can bring us!
This All-Star shoe is printed with the recently made Gang Starr wall in The Bronx. The custom Converse All-Star x Gang Starr is now available at The Ave Venice. Shout out to Guru’s nephew Justin Nicholas-Elam Ruff for the heads up. A percentage of the shoe sales go to Guru’s sons Trust Fund.
The Ave Venice
Location:
64 Windward Ave
Venice, CA, 90291
Phone:
310-452-5577
Mon – Sun:
11:00 am – 8:00 pm
After 16 Years, Fat Beats And Fans Bid Farewell To The Legendary Record Stores; Online Retail, The Label, And WholeSale Distribution Will Continue.
After 16 years, Fat Beats has announced the closing of the legendary label’s two remaining retail locations in New York and Los Angeles. Fat Beats will celebrate the legacies of the stores, which are scheduled to close in early September (New York: September 4th, Los Angeles: September 18th) by throwing a series of blow-out sales and tribute parties open to the public during their last weeks. Fans can check www.FatBeats.com for updates.
Fat Beats’ longest running and most famed location is at 406 Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan. Since the 1994 opening of Fat Beats’ flagship retail location, hip-hop fans have traveled far and wide to visit the iconic store. With locations soon following in Los Angeles (7600 Melrose Ave.), Atlanta, Amsterdam, and Tokyo, the record stores were a place to experience hip-hop culture and its legacy, which became a global phenomenon. “The closing of Fat Beats is just like one of my friends passing away. They promoted vinyl at its highest degree for the culture of good music and that makes it more difficult to say goodbye,” says DJ Premier.
The announcement of the closings is a reflection of the woes that have been plaguing the industry for years. Global chain HMV closed their last US location in 2004. Tower Records shuttered in 2006. Last year saw the close of the last Virgin Megastore, and the story is no different in 2010. For Fat Beats, maintaining two stores well into 2010 is a testament to the stores’ importance to the music and to fans and consumers continuing to support independent hip-hop.
While news of the stores’ closing marks the end of an era, the future is not doom and gloom. Digital sales continue to increase industry-wide; for Fat Beats, currently operating a profitable and growing online retail store, this has provided a boon to business as fans continue to order mp3s, vinyl, and CDs from FatBeats.com. Although digital sales continue to grow, executives at Fat Beats understand the importance of independent retail stores and are planning to re-open a brick and mortar hip-hop lifestyle location sometime in the near future.
The future looks just as bright for Fat Beats Distribution and the label. Fat Beats Distribution, which has been renamed FB Distribution, continues to strike noteworthy distribution deals with independent and major labels worldwide and is now working with different genres of alternative music. Fat Beats Records will continue to release notable albums from their own impressive roster of artists including ILL BILL, TruMaster/KRS-One, Black Milk, Trinity, Sha Stimuli, Q-Unique, and more. Fat Beats owner and President Joe Abajian says, “This is the start of a new era for Fat Beats. We’re adapting to meet the needs of our demographic by revamping and improving our existing systems. While our website, which stocks everything available in our retail stores, continues to do very well, we’re still exploring our options for alternate retail locations in the future. We’re proud of our legacy and will continue to re-invent ourselves. For now, we’ll see you online at FatBeats.com”. (audibletreats)
R.I.P. Fat Beats Record Store NYC & LA, this is not good for hip hop, not good at all… Shout out to DJ Eclipse and the staff at Fat Beats, it became reality… think about it… this say a lot of the state of music today… protect your neck… I know I’ll always have my vinyl.
Acclaimed and controversial Jamaican-born emcee Cannibus is proud to announce the release of his brand new LP entitled C Of Tranquility. The 15 track album will be available on October 5th from Interdependent Media, the label responsible for releases from Tanya Morgan, Finale, J*DaVeY, Moe Green, K’Naan, and co-founded by Evan “TRUTHLiVE” Phillips.
C Of Tranquility, Canibus’ tenth studio album, features production credits from DJ Premier, Jake One, Scram Jones, The Bizness, J-Zone and Slopfunkdust and proves that he is just as on point now as when he was first hand-picked by Wyclef Jean for the sensational debut LP Can-I-Bus. in 1998. His widely-known lyrical prowess, along with a knack for creating songs that double as personal statements, is even represented in some of the track titles on the release. “Merchant of Metaphors,” “Free Words,” and “The Messenger’s Message” all deliver on their promise of insightful and dexterous wordplay. Having been deemed by several rap magazines as being one of the best lyrical freestyle rappers, Canibus recognizes this record as his opportunity to showcase his skills once again, implying that C Of Tranquility is the culmination of years of practice and progress. “Sometimes life will beat you down just to remind you that you’re alive,” Canibus said during a 2009 interview with Conspiracy Worldwide Hip-Hop Radio. “There’s no better time than the present to try and actualize your dreams.”
Canibus’ C Of Tranquility drops October 5th via Interdependent Media.
Group Home is widely considered one of the most important groups to come out of hip-hop’s revered “golden age.” Recognized as originators in the culture, Group Home (cumulative career scans over 350,000 units), have proven over their 20 + year career that they are a force to be reckoned with. After his 2008 solo album “I.A.DAP,” Lil Dap returns with Melachi The Nutcracker to pay tribute to his longtime friend and collaborator, the legendary, and recently deceased Guru (Gang Starr). And with one of the most distinct and unique voices in all of Hip-Hop, Dap and Group Home are poised to pass on their knowledge, experience and passion, from the 80’s and 90’s into the second decade of the millenium.
Release date: Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Label: Babygrande Records
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