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Review: Kidz in the Hall, “Land of Make Believe”
Kidz in the Hall, Land of Make Believe Duck Down Records After two charming, playful albums and a minor indie hit (“Drivin’ Down the Blockâ€), new rap gen stars Kidz in the Hall sound world-weary. Their cynicism weighs heavily on … Continue reading
Review: Skyzoo & Illmind, “Live From The Tape Deck”
Skyzoo & Illmind, Live From The Tape Deck Duck Down Live from the Tape Deck, a collaboration between rapper Skyzoo and producer Illmind, is not only a throwback to classical values, but also a metaphor for “doing the right thing,†… Continue reading
Marco Polo, “The Stupendous Adventures Of Marco Polo”
Marco Polo, The Stupendous Adventures Of Marco Polo Duck Down Records It seems counterintuitive for rising producer Marco Polo to turn The Stupendous Adventures of Marco Polo into a platform for dozens of MCs. But Marco Polo isn’t an instrumental … Continue reading
Marco Polo & Ruste Juxx, “The eXXecution”
Marco Polo & Ruste Juxx, The eXXecution Duck Down Records Canadian producer Marco Polo knows how to cajole strong performances out of recalcitrant thug rappers. For Ruste Juxx, the star of The eXXecution, he lays down a template of grimy … Continue reading
Why Duck Down matters: Duck Down’s 15th anniversary
This essay on Duck Down Records’ 15th anniversary was posted April 9 on the Rhapsody Music Stuff Place blog and its new Rhapsody Hip-Hop Blog. I have a weekly column called Rap is Not Pop. ————————————– Rap is Not Pop: … Continue reading
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Tagged anniversaries, Boot Camp Clik, Buckshot, Dru Ha, Duck Down, indie rap labels, rap is not pop, Rhapsody, Stakes is High era, street rap
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Marco Polo & Ruste Juxx’s “The Execution”
Last year, Marco Polo killed it on his collaboration with Torae, Double Barrel. The producer returns on March 23, this time with Boot Camp Clik associate Ruste Juxx. Set for release via Duck Down Records, The eXXecution features guest shots … Continue reading
KRS-One and Buckshot, “Survival Skills”
As I work through a massive backlog of press material, here’s another one to watch out for. KRS-One and Buckshot’s collabo Survival Skills drops September 15 on Duck Down Records. It’s packed with guests, from Mary J. Blige and Melanie … Continue reading
Blue Scholars sign with Duck Down, prep EP
Seattle duo Blue Scholars has signed a deal with Duck Down. In recent years they’ve issued material on Rawkus and Hyena Records; hopefully Duck Down will provide a lasting home for them. (No word on where their Massline brethren, Gabriel … Continue reading
Heltah Skeltah reunite for “D.I.R.T.”
On September 30, Brooklyn duo Heltah Skeltah will reunite for D.I.R.T. (Da Incredible Rap Team). Set for release on Duck Down Records, it’s Rock and Ruck’s first album together since 1998’s Magnum Force. Although the two haven’t issued a Heltah … Continue reading
Kidz in the Hall schedule “The In Crowd”
Chicago rap duo Kidz in the Hall has scheduled a release date for their second album. The In Crowd, their follow-up to 2006’s School is My Hustle, drops April 29 on Major League Entertainment/Duck Down Records. “The In Crowd is … Continue reading
9th Wonder and Buckshot schedule “The Formula”
As most 9th Wonder fans know by now, Asylum Records has put the North Carolina producer’s major-label debut The Wonder Years on hold … for now. However, it’s full speed ahead for the second leg of 9th’s spring attack: a … Continue reading
Smif-N-Wessun returns with “The Album”
Not everyone realizes how popular the Duck Down family is. On the West Coast, heads mostly remember them for the impressive run of albums they generated in the early 90s, just before the jiggy era permanently consigned dusted hip-hop styles to the underground. But on the East Coast, Duck Down is a full-blown cult that’s highly admired for staying true to its core values of uncompromising street rap over more than a decade.
Smif-N-Wessun — also known as Cocoa Brovaz — may be the most popular group of the collective. Tek and Steele have cranked out a series of hits during its career, from its classic debut Dah Shinin to "Super Brooklyn." Their fourth album, The Album, includes cameos from Rock from Heltah Skeltah and Joell Ortiz (on the first single, "Stomp Thru") and beats from Tommy Tee, Ken Ring and others. As previously reported, it arrives amidst a heavy schedule for the mighty Duck Down Enterprises.
The Album drops October 23. The track listing is below.
Duck Down prepares for major revival
Nearly fifteen years after its launch Duck Down Recordings, the storied NY imprint founded by industry executive Dru Ha and Black Moon leader Buckshot, is poised to experience its biggest success since the days of Dah Shinin and "Leflah."
Duck Down has recruited Koch as its distributor for several upcoming projects. The first will be Casualties of War, a collection of outtakes from Boot Camp Clik’s 2006 album The Last Stand and tracks spotlighting the label’s roster. It’s scheduled to drop on August 14.
Rumors have swirled for months that Sean Price, one-half of Heltah Skeltah and the hero behind this year’s underground hit Jesus Price Supastar, will soon sign with Def Jam. While that has yet to pass, Price is preparing a mixtape, Master P, for release on July 24. He has also begun work on a new album tentatively titled Mic Tyson, and has formed a supergroup with Detroit rapper (and Stones Throw artist) Guilty Simpson and rapper/producer Black Milk. The trio hopes to drop an album before the end of the year.
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Tagged Boot Camp Clik, Buckshot, Duck Down, Sean Price, Special Teamz
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