Tag Archives: Nature Sounds

J Dilla’s “Jay Stay Paid”

A new J Dilla album, Jay Stay Paid, is set for release on June 2 via Nature Sounds. Unlike the many authorized and unauthorized Dilla releases that have appeared since his tragic 2007 death, this one is executive produced by … Continue reading

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Phil the Agony’s “Think Green”

Phil the Agony is best known for his membership in several West Coast crews, including Strong Arm Steady, Likwit Crew, Blacksmith and, back in the day, Madlib Invazion. But for Think Green, the L.A. vet will go solo, albeit with … Continue reading

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DJ Babu’s “Duck Season 3”

Here’s the track list for DJ Babu’s Duck Season 3. Set for an October 28 release on Nature Sounds, it features guest shots from DJ Babu’s group Dilated Peoples, the fast-rising Termanology, and other mixtape favorites such as MF Doom, … Continue reading

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Fakts One re-emerges with “Long Range”

On July 22, Boston producer/DJ Fakts One will release his debut album, Long Range, through Green Streets Entertainment/Nature Sounds. Guests on the album include Little Brother, Mr. Lif, Akrobatik, Army of the Pharoahs, Boot Camp Clik, Planet Asia and Souls … Continue reading

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Pete Rock collects “NY’s Finest”

Pete Rock never had a hit single. Sure, he had plenty of hip-hop hits, from Heavy D’s “Don’t Curse” to his and CL Smooth’s “T.R.O.Y. (They Reminisce Over You),” the latter which is widely considered one of the greatest rap … Continue reading

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Strong Arm Steady get “Deep Hearted”

strong arm steady_myspace.jpg

This year has seen a lot of onetime major label heatseekers, onetime prospects who rose from the lowly world of underground rap to tastemaker articles in XXL, resign themselves to dropping indie albums under vastly reduced expectations. Hip-hop acts (nor anyone else, for that matter) usually won’t admit that they’ve been dropped; they’d much rather assert that they left a label of their own volition. (Yeah, right!) Still, what to make of Sa-Ra Creative Partners, Consequence, Raekwon and now Strong Arm Steady dropping albums on indie labels? What happened to the major movement each promised?

To be accurate, Strong Arm Steady is still on Blacksmith/Warner Bros., and are working on a major label debut for 2008. Perhaps I make an ass out of u and me when I assume that the West Coasters won’t ever get that title shot, especially since Blacksmith head Talib Kweli is in a career-defining battle to get his Eardrum out — once scheduled for July 31, it got pushed back to August 21.

But hey, let’s be positive. Strong Arm Steady’s Deep Hearted looks like a beautiful thing. Scheduled for release via Nature Sounds on August 28, the disc features guest shots from the Game, Black Thought, Talib Kweli, Chamillionaire, Juvenile, Planet Asia, tha Liks and a gang of other rappers. Production is handled by DJ Babu, Madlib, DJ Khalil and others. But the spotlight is on Mitchy Slick, Phil the Agony and Krondon, three L.A. MCs who have been slugging it out since the mid-to-late 90s. Talk about patiently waiting! The track listing, along with a YouTube video for their single "One Step," are below.

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