Following The DJ: Nick Wiz
"HOW PERFECT. I'M JUST FINDING OUT ABOUT THIS NOW."
THE RESEARCH
I read a tweet today from a hip-hop music producer I follow named J-Zone that said “Cool shit about being a crazy late bloomer with so many things is being hyped about shit everyone around you gave up on already.”
This quote stood out to me because I can relate to it. I too feel the same way about discovering music that I love well after its release date. There are so many records that have come out over the years that I’ve slept on or never even knew existed.
When so much music gets released every week, how can you possibly stay on top of everything anyway? When I fall in love with music that hits me, I can listen to it on repeat for months, sometimes years. I’m still listening to Nas’s “Illmatic” debut.
This brings me to Nick Wiz, an underground hip-hop producer born in NYC and raised in Teaneck, NJ, whose appeal lends itself to fans of raw, uncut, jazz-laced, bass driven, mid-tempo, 90’s hip-hop. If you dig the sounds of DJ Premier or Buckwild, you can definitely get down with Nick Wiz.
Nick Wiz first made an impact on the 90’s hip-hop scene with his beat contributions to Ecko Unlimited’s “Underground Airplay” cassette series, which are now highly collectible. He is also considered to be an integral part of the early Lyricist Lounge movement. His most notable work can be found on the Cella Dwellas 1996 debut album “Realms n’ Reality” on Loud Records.
I didn't realize it at the time, but I first heard a Nick Wiz beat on the Rawkus Records mixtape Soundbombing 1 back in 1998, on one of my personal favorites, Shabaam Sahdeeq’s “Arabian Nights”. His unique choice in samples, low-end filters, hard hitting SP-1200 drums and dense bass lines can also be heard on records by Mad Skillz, Chubb Rock, Chino XL and Rakim.
THE DISCOVERY
Recently I discovered two full-length albums of nothing but Nick Wiz instrumentals from that same era and I couldn’t be more hyped.
The first one was actually released in 1997 on a compilation series called “Hydra Beats Vol. 12” while the other one was just released a couple of weeks ago, simply called “Unreleased 90’s Hip Hop Instrumentals.”
Through my constant journey as a DJ, searching for that 90’s sound I’ve come to love, it’s always a challenge finding a certain flavor that I can listen to on repeat for lengths of time. It might be dated but it takes me to a place that satisfies my ears and soul.
Some highlight tracks from the two albums include “Mind Crusher”, “Starlite”, “Four Elements”, “Hermano”, “Hey Man”, “Xylophone” and “Ride Out”. Check out these dope tracks yourself and help support underground hip-hop by purchasing Nick Wiz’s music on Bandcamp.
THE SOURCE
BANDCAMP Nick Wiz Unreleased 90's Hip Hop Instrumentals
YOUTUBE Mind Crusher
ARABIAN NIGHTS Watch It
STARLITE Watch It
WORDS by LAYTON W. // CREATIVE by IQUAN W. (another Ike & Laytonic collaboration 2013+)
Laytonic: Marty's Mix
DJ Laytonic is back on the HIP HOP scene with a new mix inspired by his cousin 'Marty'. Early this morning Layton released his new mix via Soundcloud and then shared a heartfelt message about it on Instagram...
My new mix was inspired by my older cousin Marty who turned me onto hip-hop music at the tender age of 7. I remember him showing me songs from LL Cool J and The Beastie Boys whenever my family went to visit. It made a profound impact on me. I later heard more amazing music from Public Enemy, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest and Run DMC from watching MTV after school and on weekends back when MTV only played music videos. Although not all of those artists are featured in this mix, I wanted to convey the same feeling I got back then when Marty first introduced me to the music. This was the late 80's early 90's when rap was considered a threat to the suburbs. Most of white America wasn't ready for this new music filled with foul language, outspoken political views, sex speak and the occasional gun violence. Thankfully, my parents allowed me to listen to this music in the house growing up regardless of some of the lyrical content. As an aspiring musician, I never really paid much attention to lyrics anyway. My ears were drawn to the music and the production is what moved me the most. Even to this day I have a hard time listening to lyrics if I don't feel the music first. Hip-hop and rap music was my first true love and I haven't stopped listening since. Thank you Marty for the positive influence. I'll never forget it. " @laytonic
Check out the mix below and please comment!
Following the DJ: Madlib & Freddie Gibbs
THE RESEARCH
[one_third]There’s a great story told by the legendary Nile Rodgers, American musician & producer, known for producing hits for artists like Duran Duran, Diana Ross, David Bowie and Madonna, as well as being a founding member of disco/funk band Chic - where he talks about handing a copy of Chic’s very first single to a DJ who was spinning at Studio 54 in NYC. The DJ liked it so much after one listen that he immediately played it for the people on the dance floor and that’s essentially how Chic started their success. Watch
PHOTO PROPS: WHO SHOT YA?
[/one_third]
[one_third]This post is dedicated to the DJ, the music curator to the masses, the original source. Back in the day, if you wanted your song to get heard, you had to give a copy to your local DJ and hope they’d play it, or you could pay a lot of money to the radio station and guarantee rotation (this still goes on today.) When looking for new music I tend to stick to record labels, online blogs and other trusted sources that I like. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib’s album, Piñata, I found through LA-based record label Stones Throw and online news blog Rappcats.com, a website dedicated to promoting three of my favorite artists: J Dilla, Madlib and MF Doom.
PHOTO PROPS: RAPPCATS.COM[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Madlib has described himself as a DJ first, producer second and MC last. If you’re wondering how this record relates to following a DJ, Madlib is the DJ and he is the reason why I got hip to this music in the first place. Read more about Madlib here
PHOTO PROPS: ELECTRONIC BEATS MAG
[/one_third_last]
THE DISCOVERY
The Freddie Gibbs and Madlib collab started in late 2011 with the release of their debut EP Thuggin’. Rappcats.com along with Madlib’s own record label, Madlib Invazion via Stones Throw, teamed up for the release of all three EP’s as well as the group’s full-length LP, Piñata, which was released earlier this year - an artist release schedule spanning the course of three years.
As a record collector, following a record release like this is one of the most rewarding experiences for a music fan. Back in 2011 when I first purchased the Thuggin’ EP, I knew it was going to be an immediate classic in the eyes of music aficionados and hip-hop heads.
I kept my eyes and ears open for more info and news about what would come next from the group. As each year passed and a new EP was released, clocking in at just over 15 minutes front to back, I experienced a sense of anticipation and appreciation for the music.
November 18, 2011 – Los Angeles based DJ & producer, Madlib, along with Gary, Indiana based rapper, Freddie Gibbs, announce their first collaborative EP entitled Thuggin’, live at the Madlib Medicine Show in San Francisco. All five hundred vinyl copies of the EP were sold out that evening.
[one_half]
November 21, 2011 – Thuggin’
This album sparked a sense of awe and appreciation from the hip-hop community. There is something really profound about Freddie Gibbs’s dark delivery over Madlib’s excellent use of soul sampling and worldly genres. Like a lot of Madlib’s music from recent years, the choice of drums and percussion used to create back beat is something cinematic and crate digger worthy. The content presented here is reminiscent of early west coast gangster rap.
September 24, 2013 – Deeper
Deeper was the last of the EP’s and would eventually become the lead single for the group’s full-length album. Lyrically there had not been a song reflecting the realities of incarceration and outside drama since Nas’s 1994 release, “One Love.”
PHOTO PROPS: PETER BESTE
PHOTO PROPS: WHO SHOT YA?
[/one_half]
[one_half_last]
June 26, 2012 – Shame
Seven months after the release of Thuggin’ came the Shame EP. This only proved the duo’s chemistry to be stronger and left myself and critics wanting more. Jon Hadusek of Consequence of Sound graded the EP with a “C-“ stating: "To call Shame an EP is misleading, it's only two tracks – 'Shame' and 'Terrorist' – with instrumental and acapella versions, as well as some tacked on 'bonus beats.’ These songs are strong, however, and make the prospect of a proper debut album from Gibbs that much more exciting. If he wants a legacy, he needs to release a full-length."
March 18, 2014 – Piñata LP
(originally titled Cocaine Piñata)
The long awaited debut full-length album, Piñata, that music fans and hip-hop heads had been eagerly anticipating for over three years was finally released. All the hype and expectation had been full-filled. After immediate release, large music blogs like Pitchfork and Spin were already nominating it to be Rap Album of the Year. I had already made my prediction back in December of 2013 when I tweeted this and got a response from Now Again Records founder and former Stones Throw label manager, Eothen “Egon” Alapatt. Check it!
May 28, 2014 – Piñata Beats
(Freddie Gibbs Instrumentals)
The latest release, Piñata Beats, is the full-length instrumental version of the album. Essential to most DJ’s is the instrumental version of the song. This version is crucial to your mix. Whether you’re a DJ making live remixes or a radio disc jockey playing an instrumental version of a hit song in the background, the instrumentals are key elements to any serious DJ’s style.
[/one_half_last]
CONCLUSION
PHOTO PROPS: NOISEY
Together the duo’s chemistry is undeniable. Lyrically Freddie Gibbs could be compared to greats like Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. based on their ability to tell stories from an array of perspectives. From cutting up dope, hustling, and expressing the realities of street life to expressing pain, heartbreak and close friend fall-outs, the stories embedded in each track and how well they flow with the beats makes Piñata an instant classic. This album shone a light on what is missing in hip-hop music today.
Following The DJ - Tuamie "The Gift Vol. 4"
THE RESEARCH
[one_third]Discovering new music in today’s world is practically effortless. Depending on your preference, there are multiple music outlets online, allowing you to listen to and purchase music digitally via iTunes, Pandora, Amazon or Spotify. If you haven’t already familiarized yourself with these companies, then you probably still listen to music in a traditional format like radio, TV, or maybe you are overwhelmed with the amount of options to choose from and gave up.[/one_third]
[one_third]If you’re a hip-hop fan like me, you can easily discover new music by turning on the radio and tuning in to one of the first clear signals that comes through. Hot 97 in NY, Power 99 in Philly, Power 106 in LA, Hot 107.9 in Atlanta; most major cities have a primary radio station dedicated to hip-hop.[/one_third]
[one_third_last]You can also hop online and visit music blogs like EgoTripLand, Pitchfork, MassAppeal, Consequence Of Sound, SampleFace, or PotholesInMyBlog to get your daily dose of what’s fresh. The ease of finding music to listen to has become greater now that most people in the world own smartphones and these big companies like iTunes have an app to preview and download music straight to your device. In today’s world, this is considered the norm. I tend to follow these blogs myself for what’s new, but earlier this year I focused on a different source; The DJ"[/one_third_last]
[one_half]
American Hip-Hop Producer and DJ, Michael “House Shoes” Buchanan, has been an essential person in the continually rising growth of the Motown scene in Detroit and has been given the title by peers: “Hip-Hop’s Ambassador to the World”. Four-time winner of “Best Hip-Hop DJ” and a long time resident at hip-hop staple, St. Andrews Hall, from 1994-2004, House Shoes has also been credited as one of the first people to shop some of J Dilla’s early beats when he went under the “Jay Dee” moniker back in 1994. He continues to carry the Dilla torch today.
Like many J Dilla fans, I started researching more and more about his music and wanted to find other producers and DJ’s affiliated with him. If you watch any of the documentaries or read anything that has surfaced since Dilla’s passing, you’ll quickly start to see the name “House Shoes” circulating. There is an entire series of videos online produced by another Detroit native, Jeedo and his “Bling47” label, that interview some of Dilla’s peers and dissects some of his most famous work.[/one_half]
[one_half_last]
There are about six videos from House Shoes where he talks about how and why Dilla sampled the records he did and you can listen to first-hand accounts of stories he shares and can start to understand the relationship they had. From here I started following House Shoes and his music. I quickly got hip to more amazing music from underground artists as well as more unheard Dilla material.
Over a year ago back in March of 2013, House Shoes started an inaugural free download release via his SoundCloud account of compilation “beat tapes” from young, undiscovered artists he felt deserved more recognition from the masses. House Shoes states: “…a series where I will be spotlighting producers and artists you may not be aware of. Each volume will be curated from prior bandcamp/soundcloud releases as an introduction to cats who have released prior material that I feel hasn’t reached its potential audience like it should.”
[/one_half_last]
THE DISCOVERY
[one_half][/one_half]
[one_half_last]Fast forward later that year to November, The Gift Vol. 4 featured Atlanta beat maker and mystery man, Tuamie. Just as House Shoes quoted in the release in regards to the music, “I was floored” – I too share the same enthusiasm.
Tuamie’s beats are reminiscent of J Dilla and Madlib. The sounds are very chill, intriguing and raw. Laced with hard-hitting drums with a lot of attack, obscure samples, hints of jazz and old-school R&B grooves they have a unique quality that holds its own.
The Gift Vol. 4 is a mix of different beats pulled from different self-releases on Tuamie’s Bandcamp page as well as some highlights from his debut release on GrandGarden Records, “Masta Killa”. The compilation is sprinkled with musical treats for any hip-hop lover.
Catchy vocal samples on tracks like “Reoccurring Feeling of Loneliness” & “The More Weed Smoke I Puff” will have you humming along to each note. The jazzy hooks on “No Limitations”, “Plant”, and “High Eyes” will keep your melodic taste buds satisfied while sample heads and hip-hop aficionados can find joy in recognizing flips on tracks like “Feed Em Gunpowder” and “Eva-re-moanin”. All in all, this album stays true to hip-hop form and it is noted, stating that all beats were made using only records and an MPC.
[/one_half_last]
"The Gift Vol. 4" is now available on limited edition vinyl. Buy your copy from FatBeats.com
WORDS by LAYTONIC // CREATIVE by IQUAN
PHOTOBOOTH: Sunday's Beats for Brunch 2
Yesterday we hosted our 2nd 'Beats for Brunch' event for the year in the lower east-side of New York City at Pianos, and this go around Laytonic featured Newark based DJ and fellow Artoholik 'Ream Supreme' to lead off the event making this his first NYC DJ appearance. Laytonic took over the 1's and 2's and laced a mean set of 90's hip hop instrumentals staying true to his style while providing a dope sound for the crowd to vibe out to. Then NYC based DJ 'Leecy T' closed out the DJ session with a blend that had the crowd dancing and bopping their heads featuring some 90's music as well as some fresh hip-hop and R&B rhythms. Just like our first B4B event back in February, we invited a live band to end the night. This time, Laytonic hand picked Brooklyn based hip-hop group 'ILLEGALIZE' to give our crowd some live and unique sounds.
Overall this event was just as successful as our first. Our mission was to get new people out to discover a different vibe, while enjoying food, music and each other. By the looks of the photo below, our mission was accomplished! Enjoy!
[AFG_gallery id='5']
Urban Exploiring: Lil Wyte (Special Edition)
In this special edition of Urban Exploring, Iquan and Guru get access to hang out with Memphis rap star Lil Wyte and his friends in New York City at the Merchants Cigar Bar for his album release of 'No Sick Days'. Check out the recap of their night.
DISCOVERIES in this EPISODE
Lil Wyte:
Patrick Lanshaw better known by his stage name Lil Wyte, is an American rapper from Memphis, Tennessee. He is a member of the rap collective Hypnotize Minds and owner of the independent label Wyte Music. Read More
Merchants NY Cigar Bar:
Cigars & cocktails are accompanied by an American food menu at this clubby basement lounge. Learn More
[AFG_gallery id='6']
Urban Exploring: Episode 3 - Sunday's Beats for Brunch
In our third episode of Urban Exploring, IquanW hops in a cab with Guru and DJ Ream Supreme to check out "Sunday's Beats for Brunch" at Pianos in the LES of Manhattan. As the crowd enjoyed food and drinks, Laytonic, El Siete, DJ Polarity and The Grand Affair each had an hour to bless the crowd with good music. Enjoy this mini recap of event.
"Sundays Beats for Brunch was once just an idea, but with a little bit of time, networking, and getting to know one another, Laytonic's idea for Sunday's Beats for Brunch came to fruition.
It's always astounding when something imagined or pictured in the mind becomes a reality, but when that reality becomes a successful idea, it just let's you know that you were born to create.
To us, this day was a success not because of the number of people that attended or because of the amount of money made, but for the simple fact that all of our friends that share the same story as creators were here to witness an idea turn into a goal. That goal became Sunday's Beats for Brunch." - IquanW
Sunday's Beats for Brunch ft. DJ A.C.L
Open Crates resident DJ, A.C.L drops into this weekends Beats for Brunch to share some of his heat straight from his vinyl record collection. Today we present yet another oldie but goodie session which I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy. Some of the artists DJ A.C.L feature include Diana Ross, Black Heat, Lonnie Smith, Gato Barbieri and Flip Nunez just to name a few. This mix should remind you of HOME! Remember when your grand-mom was up early with her records spinning while she got breakfast and dinner ready at the same time? Yeah, that kind of HOME. Enjoy!
THE FOOD
[one_third]
[/one_third]
[one_third]
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
[/one_third_last]
Right in the heart of Hoboken, NJ we discovered a cool, traditional and very down to earth sports bar that serves up a spectacular Brunch menu on the weekends. If your 20 something or outgoing newly weds then this spot is for you! Mikie's attracts a ton of young energy making this venue a spot to hang out at in the middle of errands. As far as the food, this bar serves up some awesome breakfast wraps along with a man loving steak and eggs dish.
DETAILS
Address 616 Washington St. Hoboken, NJ 07030 - (201) 792-0001
Parking Street
Dress Casual
Specialty Breakfast, Lunch and Brunch
LOTS of Alcohol
Urban Exploring: The Internet x Phony PPL (Special Edition)
This past weekend we went out to chill with the lovely folks at SOB's and was treated to a great show performed by The Internet and Phony Ppl. Phony Ppl set the tone of the night, their energy was great and they kept the crowd excited at all times.
When The Internet took the stage, the crew went nuts as if they weren't hyped enough. Syd & Matt Martian lived up to their expectations, mixing some of their old joints in with tracks off their latest release Feel Good.
Even after the show, both bands came to hang out and chill. Everyone was extremely friendly, posing for photos with one another, exchanging social media handles and simply soaking up what was the end of a dope night out. But of course you know the night didn't end for us, Urban Exploring with The Artoholiks always require food. We left SOBs and headed East, to enjoy a burger from Mikey's on Ludlow St. in the Lower Eastside.
[AFG_gallery id='10']
BLUEPRINTS TO MY MIND/UNDERCONSTRUCTION PART 3
Remember episode one of Urban Exploring when we caught up with our homie Verbally Visual? When he was in Newark to shoot video for a track off his Under Construction Poetry album? We'll guess what? The video was released today and we're pleased to debut the video for BLUEPRINTS TO MY MIND/UNDERCONSTRUCTION PART 3 right here right now! Enjoy!
