Tuesday, April 29, 2008

New Releases For 4/29/08


Title: A-Town Secret Weapon
Artist: Baby D
Label: Koch
Location: Atlanta
Allmusic.com rating: 3/5




Title: Pimp Tight
Artist: MJG
Label: Real Talk
Location: Memphis, TN



Title: The Formula
Artist: Buckshot & 9th Wonder
Label: Duck Down



Title: Street Cinema
Artist: Ransom
Label: Babygrande
Location: NJ



Title: Rising Down
Artist: The Roots
Label: Def Jam
Location: Philly
Allmusic.com rating: 4/5

What To Expect From The Leftcoast415 Blog

Sorry about going an entire week without a new post. There wasn't a lot to report plus it's been hard to find stuff to post while working 40 hours and trying to get my shit together and bring my grades up in the final month of the semester at school.

However, I haven't forgot about the regular followers of this blog. What I'm doing right now is going back and listening to every album by the top Bay Area artits. First up is E-40. I'll probably end up creating playlists with what I think are the artists' top songs and post them here. I assmue that a lot of people who check this blog are young, and may not be up on the older work of many local stars. I might turn this into a monthly feature or something.

As always, keep checking for all the new singles. Check for new releases Tuesdays (or Wednesdays if I'm busy). I haven't really had time to review albums, but expect that to pick up once summer starts up.

Hit a milestone today...the previous post was #300.

Email me about whatever, I almost always reply. Leftcoast415@gmail.com

Dubcnn Interview With Oakland's Sterlen Roberts

Check out this interview with Sterlen Roberts of Oakland to get some information about his background and what he's currently up to. Check out the interview HERE.

Here are a couple of his songs....

Sterlen Roberts ft. Mistah F.A.B. & San Quinn- An Lean (Remix)



Sterlen Roberts- Running For My Life

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

West Coast Shit

Two of the west coast's biggest rappers just dropped new singles.

The Game ft. Keyshia Cole- Pain

Ice Cube- It Takes A Nation

(Video) Keak Da Sneak ft. Prodigy & Alchemist- That Go (Remix)

New Releases For 4/22/08

As soon as I'm done posting it I'm gonna go out an buy that Jacka & Berner. I already heard it and I'm hella feelin it... expect a review at some point.


Title: Drought Season
Artists: Jacka & Berner
Label: Bern One
Track List:
1. Keep It Flooded (Berner)
2. Time Fles (Berner & The Jacka)
3. Watch Me (Berner, Fed-X & The Jacka)
4. Battlefield (Fed-X, The Jacka, Berner & Baldhead Rick)
5. Fresher (The Jacka, Berner & Don Toriano)
6. Drought Season (The Jacka, Berner, San Quinn & Mike Marshall)
7. My Life (Berner, The Jacka & Dubee)
8. Look Up (Cellski, Berner & The Jacka)
9. Can't Walk (Berner, The Jacka, Alcatraz & Matt Blaque)
10. Changed Man (Berner, The Jacka & Sky Balla)
11. Purp (Cozmo, B-Legit & Berner)
12. Fall Down (The Jacka & Berner)
13. Keep It Street (The Jacka, Berner & Equipto)
14. Trap House (The Jacka, Berner, Don Toriano & Goldtoes)



Title: Everywhere At Once
Artist: Lyrics Born
Label: Anti
Location: Berkeley
Allmusic.com Review: 2.5/5


Also due out today are some Thizz compilations and a Nick Peace instrumentals album.


As for the non Bay Area releases...


Title: When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold
Artist: Atmosphere
Label: Rhymesayers
Location: Minneapolis, MN



Title: H.N.I.C., Pt. 2
Artist: Prodigy
Label: Aao Music
Location: NY
Allmusic.com rating: 3.5/5

Monday, April 21, 2008

Keak Da Sneak's "Deified" Is Finally Coming



(New York, NY) — KOCH Records is happy to announce the release of Deified, the new album by Keak Da Sneak, on May 27th, 2008.

The first singles “That Go” feat. Prodigy and Alchemist & “Nothing Without You” featuring Matt Blaque and Messy Marv are hitting radio now.

Keak Da Sneak is one of the most unique and respected hip-hop artists to ever come from the west coast. A pioneer of the Bay Area sound, Keak burst onto the scene with groundbreaking work in the group 3X Krazy and would go on to much success as a solo artist. His group and solo releases have totaled over a combined 300,000 units sold to date, largely from independent buzz and a very loyal fan base.

After recently appearing on MTV’s popular show, “My Super Sweet 16” and being featured on E-40’s monster hit “Tell Me When To Go,” Keak is making his KOCH Records debut with his brand new studio album, Deified.

Alan Grunblatt, General Manager of KOCH Records, offers, “Keak Da Sneak is one of the most important artists recording today. I am thrilled to have him on our great hip hop roster.”
Showcasing Keak’s trademark raspy baritone and off balanced flow, Deified continues the classic sound that Keak fans have come to know and love. With guest appearances from Bay Area’s Own E-40, Too Short, Mistah Fab, Jacka of the Mob Figaz, Daz Dillinger and also Paul Wall, Lil KeKe, Prodigy of Mobb Deep, Alchemist and a few others. Keak has production credits from Mozart and Chops just to name a few. This album is long awaited and this release is sure to bang from the left coast and far beyond.

The first video, for the single “That Go” feat. Prodigy and Alchemist will be released and serviced to networks shortly.

Tracklisting:
1 Intro
2.19 Dummy feat. Daz Dillinger
3. Quarterbacking feat. Jacka
4. Blurpt
5. Hard Tops & Drops feat. Paul Wall & Scoot
6. N Fronta Ya Mama House
7. Playa like me feat. 2 Short
8. Stunna feat. Lil Keke
9. Oakland feat. Mistah. Fab
10. I Get It In feat. E 40
11. Nothing Without You feat. Messy Marv & Matt Blaque
12. Stock with game
13. Who started this
14. This how we ride
15. I Don’t Know Her Name
16. Go Dumb Go Stupid
17. X2
18. Going Going Gone
19. Ass Chauffer
20. Drop It On tha 1 feat. Lil Darrelle & Yaberation
21. Supa Dupa Dupa
22. That Go feat. Prodigy & Alchemist
23. On Citas feat. Paul Wall & Chingo Bling
24. Super Hyphy




For more on Keak Da Sneak, go to
www.myspace.com/keakdasneak
And also www.itsallndadoe.com

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Happy 4/20

For those celebrating...even though I'm not this year.



Nu Jerzey Devil ft. Clyde Carson- I'll Be Back

I'll Be Back

Produced by Nu Jerzey Devil (BWS)

Thursday, April 17, 2008

SMC Records = San Francisco's Version Of Koch Records?

This is taken from XXLmag.com.

"Queens duo Capone and Noreaga have inked a new recording deal with San Francisco based independent label SMC Recordings. With this new agreement, CNN joins a growing roster of established artists that will be releasing new projects through SMC during 2008. Last November, Atlanta based MC Killer Mike entered into a partnership with SMC for his Grind Time Official imprint, and Pastor Troy is expected to release the follow up to his previous SMC release, Tool Musiq, at the end of the summer. Capone and N.O.R.E will drop their long awaited third album, tentatively titled Reporting The War, this July. All releases will be distributed through Fontana/Universal. “We have the best of both worlds–the flexibility and connection to the streets of an independent label and the ability to reach the masses that major label distribution affords,” SMC co-founder Ralph Tashjian said in a statement."

SMC seems to be making some good moves nationwide. They're probably not going to put out a project that'll sell 100,000 units this year, but they have been putting out quality projects by quality artists. Here's a list of some of albums they've released.


Ya Boy- Rookie Of The Year
B-Legit- Block Movement
San Quinn- The Rock (Pressure Makes Diamonds)
Bullys Wit Fullys- Infrastructure
Dem Hoodstarz- Dem Hoodstarz
V-White- Perfect Timin'
Keak Da Sneak, Messy Marv & PSD- Da Bidness
Rappin' 4-Tay- That's What You Thought
Mistah F.A.B.- Da Baydestrian

Also, many more albums from Messy Marv, Pastor Troy, B-Legit & others. I've been thinking that what the Bay needs is an indy label with all our top artists that gains a reputation for dropping quality releases. Fuck a major.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Ya Boy, Drop An Album Already

Want to know the first Bay Area album I purchased in stores? It wasn't any of the classics that dropped in the 90s. It was Ya Boy's "Rookie Of The Year" album that dropped in 2005. That was when I got my first job and finally had some of my own money to spend. I was real happy with that purchase, but now its 2008, and there's no sign of a follow up album.

Instead, what we're getting is countless mixtapes. I check out that first one with DJ Skee that dropped a year ago, and yeah, I enjoyed it. I checked out the next one and listened to it a few times. I got the one after that and listened to it once. Now, I'm not even going to bother listening to any mixtapes from him. Instead of helping Ya Boy build a buzz, his style is just getting played out (at least for me it is).

Have you ever heard of a rapper named Papoose? Unless you visit East Coast dominated website/forums, you probably haven't. It seems like Ya Boy is following his footsteps and that of many other East Coast rappers by becoming what is known as a mixtape rapper. There were actually signs pointing to a retail release from Ya Boy. He had announced an EP that was supposed to be out last summer and even shot a video for a Cool & Dre produced single. The single didn't blow up and Ya Boy is back to doing mixtapes.

I'm starting to question whether or not Ya Boy has what it takes to drop a great album. He clearly does have skills when it comes to flow and creative punchlines. However, the thing thats been missing from his songs is good subject matter. I'm hoping he's saving that for an album, but right now 90% of his songs are about money, guns, how real he is, and fucking bitches. That kind of rap was entertaining when I was a high school, but now I want more from my music.

I like real songs like this... Ya Boy ft. Jin- Down So Long

On a side note... I get annoyed when people say Ya Boy sounds too much like The Game. Hasn't Ya Boy been rapping longer than Game? Didn't The Game come to San Francisco to work with JT The Bigga Figga when he was learning to rap? So really...who sounds like who?

(Video) Behind The Scenes Of Mistah F.A.B.'s Ghost Ride It Video Shoot

Yeah...this is like a year late...but still entertaining.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

New Releases For 4/15/08

Sick Wid It fans get something new to bump this week.



Title: The Machine
Artist: Various Artists
Label: Sick Wid It
Track List:
1. Can't Slow Down (K.D. Stunts, E-40 & Turf Talk)
2. Money Ain't Trippin' (Laroo & E-40)
3. My Whoofers (Cheapskate, Work Dirty & K.D. Stunts)
4. Kush Burn (Doey Rock)
5. Let's See (Cousin Fik)
6. Jump On A Scrape (Nump)
7. Hold Yo' Stack Up (The D.B.'z)
8. Showin' Out (E-40, B-Legit & Laroo)
9. Yay Up (The D.B.'z, K.D. Stunts & Cheapskate)
10. I Do Me (Bebop & Cheapskate)
11. Where My Neighborhood? (Cousin Fik, K.D. Stunts, E-40 & B-Slimm)
12. How I Live (Mugzi & B-Slimm)
13. I'm Mannish (Turf Talk & E-40)
14. Real Talk (Young Budha)
15. It's All About The Money (Cool Nutz, E-40 & Doey Rock)




Title: 916 Unified
Artist: Various Artists
Label: Sick Wid It
Track List:
1. Unlawful (Homicide)
2. So Sac Wid It (Doey Rock & J.Gib)
3. Monkey Business (Triple Stack, Doey Rock & Black Zeek)
4. The Great Communication (Big Omeezy)
5. Get It Girl (The D.B.'z & Asia B)
6. Gutta Boys (Doey Rock, A.K., Young Bop & Young Meek)
7. All I Know (Spitzo)
8. California (Doey Rock, Black Zeek & Lil Darrelle)
9. Go Go Gadgets (Bueno, Do It Movin & Doey Rock)
10. This My Jam (Sumthin' Terrible)
11. All In The Trunk (Doey Rock, Imakulate, Liq & Floss)
12. Queen Of Sac (Marvaless)
13. Tell The DJ (Ron Rocka, Young Dez & Young Bop)
14. Stay Fresh (Smigg Dirtee)
15. Shittin' On Fools (Doey Rock, Bugzy & Skurge)
16. Ice Cream Truck (Bloe, Black Zeek & Doey Rock)
17. Mo Dough (Tre Mak, C-Dubb & Bigg Mann)
18. '84 Era (Big Slep Rock & O.G. Bad Mouth)




Title: Tycoon Status
Artist: Sky Balla
Label: Tycoon Ent.
Location: San Francisco
Track List:
1. Free Mac Minister: Intro
2. For Da Streets
3. Stay Grindin'
4. I Go
5. Direct Connect (Feat. Hell Rell)
6. Let's Talk Money
7. Creep With You (Feat. Tynisha Keli)
8. Posted At Da Bar (Feat. Cassidy & Willie Henn)
9. I'm About Mine (Feat. Mike Marshall)
10. Mobbin' All Day (Feat. San Quinn & E-40)
11. What's Crackin'
12. Need A Bigga Room (Feat. Bleu Davinci)
13. U.S.D.A. Interview With Big Von
14. I Ride (Feat. Slick Pulla)
15. Hit Me On My Chearp (Feat. Turf Talk)
16. Tycoon Status
17. Mobbin' All Day (Feat. Mistah F.A.B. & E-40)

Spice 1 Interview From Dubcnn (Part 3)

Check out the part 3 of the interview HERE

Spice 1 talks about other west coast rappers, his upcoming album & more.

(Video) Ya Boy- 100 Bars Of Death




I'm feelin this one. Nice flow and punchlines...cool little video.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

New Releases For 4/8/08

New Rap Releases

Fans of Bay Area "underground style" rap (a.k.a. Living Legends fans) will have a couple of albums to bump for the next few months.



Title: Show You The World
Artist: The Grouch
Label: Legendary
Features: Murs + More
Location: Oakland
Tracklist:
1. Microphone Intro
2. Watch Watch
3. Clones
4. Artsy
5. Favorite Folks
6. Yardwork
7. God Bless The Elephant
8. Show You The World
9. The Bay to LA
10. Mom & Pop Killer
11. Never Die
12. Shero
13. Bring It Back
14. Hot Air Balloons
15. The Time
16. Breath
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thegrouch



Title: The Gathering
Artist: Living Legends
Label: Legendary
Track List:
1. The Gathering
2. She Wants Me
3. Pants on Fire
4. War and Peace
5. Luva Changer
6. Samba
7. After Hours (Extended Euro Mix)
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/livinglegends

(Video) The Reality Show (Dubb 20 & D-Dre)- Blahk Fist



Don't sleep on Dubb 20

(Video) Dezit Eaze Ft. Ridah J. Klyde & LIQ



I'm feelin this. Has a kinda grimey Mobb Deep feel to it.

Acktup Ft. Mistah F.A.B.- Super Wet (Remix)

Acktup ft. Mistah F.A.B.- Super Wet (Remix)

Not really my type of song...but I'm sure a lot of ya'll will feel it.

(Review) Errelevent- Redefinition



1) In The Eye Of The Beholder (Produced By Equivalent Exchange) 4.5/5
Great opening track. Epic beat. No hook, Errelevent just spits for about 2 minutes straight.

2) You Know I Got It ft. Mr. Kee 3/5 (Produced By Cozmo)
This song is kinda forgettable.

3) Do The Do (Produced By Equivalent Exchange) 3.5/5
The beat is nice. Not really feelin the hook. Typical party lyrics.

4) Bring It Back Ft. Ya Boy (Produced By Davey D. Cohn) 4/5
Very nice beat. Sounds like something that could've been on Quinn's last solo. Decent guest spot from Ya Boy.

5) Unaffordable Dream (Produced By Cozmo) 4.5/5
Great beat from Cozmo. Clean hook. "Tryin to sip away the pain till I'm throwing up." I can dig it.

6) In The Bay (We Hustlin) Ft. San Quinn (Produced By Equivalent Exchange) 4/5
Feelin the beat more than anything else on this one. Quinn came pretty clean.

7) My Way (Produced By Equivalent Exchange) 3/5
This one doesn't really do it for me.

8) The Formula Ft. Termanology (Produced By Equivalent Exchange) 4.5/5
I'm feelin the concept of this song. The beat has me nodding my head. Clean hook.

9) I Believe It (Remix) Ft. Keak Da Sneak & Guce (Produced By Davey D. Cohn) 5/5
I think this would make a great radio single. Great party beat and a nice simple hook. Perfect for the club.

10) I Can't Wait Ft. Selau (Produced By Equivalent Exchange & Beats By Vega) 2/5
Cupcake shit. It's not bad...just not for me.

11) Put It In The Air (Produced By Rob Lo) 5/5
Weed song. I'm hella feelin this one. Best Rob Lo beat I've heard in a minute...sounds like something some East Coast legends would love to spit over. Lyrics are nice too.

12) Lean Ft. Kaz Kyzah (Produced By Traxamillion) 3.5/5
Not the greatest Traxamillion beat I've heard. I'm surprised more people don't go to Kaz Kyzah for hooks.

13) Gone Ft. IVAN (Produced By Equivalent Exchange) 4/5
The beat sounds like something from Jacka & Ampichino's "Devil's Rejectz" album. That would be a good thing.

14) Sittin' Sippin' (Produced By Equivalent Exchange) 5/5
This might be my favorite song on the album. Alcoholics anthem. The beat is perfect.

15) Lady Temptation Ft. 10sion Santana (Produced By Davey D. Cohn) 3.5/5
I feel like I've heard this beat before...maybe from Talib Kweli?? Maybe not.

16) Temperature Rise (Produced By Equivalent Exchange) 5/5
I could probably listen to this instrumental for an hour straight.

17) Roll With The Punches (Produced By Cozmo) 4/5
I'm feelin the lyrics on this one.


I didn't know what to expect from this album because I had never even heard of Errelevent until I saw a couple of songs posted on websites. The only reason I even checked out those songs were because of the guests featured, but they ended up being clean. Once I saw that Rob Lo, Cozmo, and Traxamillion had beats on this album I had to check it out. Surprisingly, some of the best beats came from a producer I had never heard of who goes by the name Equivalent Exchange. I do feel that Errelevent was sort of out shined by the great production on the album. His flows are nice, but he doesn't have enough memorable lines. The good thing is that he doesn't spit the same repetitive lyrics that we hear from many other rappers. He hits a good variety of topics and doesn't sound fake. This is the best Bay Area album to drop in 2008 so far.

Lyrics: 3.5/5
Beats: 5/5
Concepts: 4/5
Overall: 4.25/5

You can buy this album HERE. It's currently under $10, well worth the money.

Monday, April 7, 2008

(Video) The Jacka ft. J. Stalin & Dubb 20- Never Blink

I have no clue when this video first came out (it doesn't even seem official since it looks like they're looking at a different camera most of the time), but I'm guessing most of you haven't seen it yet. Three years later and this song still sounds great. Don't sleep on J. Stalin.

Check for weekly updates on Jacka's next solo, Tear Gas, HERE

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Free Balance CD Download

*Edit: Link Fixed

Gotta love artists who are willing to release some of their music



Track List:
1. I'm Pimpin' (Feat. Doey Rock)
2. 8 Ball (Feat. Locksmith & Royce Da 5'9")
3. Hustlin: Remix (Feat. Scweez)
4. So Hard (Feat. The Game, Lloyd Banks & 50 Cent)
5. Boomin' System
6. We Don't Stunt (Feat. The Frontline)
7. Bang 'Em (Feat. Big Rich & Ya Boy)
8. Bay 2 LA (Feat. Chace)
9. Off The Dome (Feat. Traxxamillion)
10. Reppin' The Bay (Feat. J Stalin)
11. Step To This (Feat. Dutch, Locksmith & Mr. Kee)
12. My Hood (feat. Scipio)
12. 16's (Feat. The Bay)
13. Bay Shorty (Feat. Iconz)


DOWNLOAD

(Video) Renz Julian- Friday Night Lights



The video isn't that interesting...but I'm feelin this song. Renz Julian is supposed to drop his debut album called "Armageddon" this summer.

Spice 1 Interview From Dubcnn (Part 2)

In this segment of the interview, Spice 1 switches the focus to his music. He speaks on the current state of the game and where he fits in it. He also gives some information about his next album, "Home Street Home", due out in June or July.

I thought this was interesting...

"Dubcnn: So what are your plans now, musically? What can the fans expect from you?
Well as far as my music, Ima keep pushing that shit, I got some nice songs. But you know I've never been a follower, or a trendy type of muthafucka, I ain't trendy at all. I just like being me and spitting some real shit, doing what I like to do. Everybody's like "Oh you should come with that down south sound, that's what's selling right now, that's what's blowing up!" I don't give a fuck what they sound like, I'ma do what I do, I don't give a fuck if it sells or not. I'ma do me, I'ma put out some gangsta ass music, some hardcore shit, maybe a few songs on there for the bitches, but there finna be some songs on there for the niggas, and I ain't gonna talk about how much jewellry I got, or how many cars, or how big my fuckin' mansion is.

I'ma talk about some real gangsta shit, real shit that niggas go through everyday in life, and don't have no 20-30,000 worth of jewellry on or a 60,000 dollar car and the big houses and all of that shit that these niggas is out here rapping about. I'm a real gangsta, I don't sit up there and rap about no shit that the next muthafucka ain't gonna have! That's just some phony shit to me. And I can't dance, all I do is boogie. So I don't be rapping all that down south shit, or that east coast shit, or west coast, I don't do all that, I do good music. I do shit that the crowd gonna cater to or that's gonna entertain my audience."
Check out the entire Part 2 of the interview HERE




Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Ya Boy- Ride On Em

Ride On Em

This is the latest mixtape song from Ya Boy. It's off the "I'm Bout To Murdah This Shit" mixtape due out April 20th.

Even though some of his mixtapes have been over original beats...I'm still waiting on an actual album.