When it comes to hiphop music these days, there isn't much that gets me excited. Most mainstream tunes can't hold my interest for so long and I'm totally confused about how "Crank that Soldier Boy" is the biggest rap song in America right now. It seem like hiphop has lost it's soul. But at least there are still artists out there that make authentic hiphop tracks without the help of mainstream media and having to dumb down their music.
Since 1996, California based indie hiphop label Stones Throw Records has been pushing their own brand of hiphop. Artist on the label include such heavyweights as the late J Dilla, MF Doom, Oh No, Aloe Blacc, and the extremely prolific Madlib (whose own releases make up about 70% of Stones Throws entire catalog). Over the last few years, their influence has surpassed the backpacker & hipster markets and is slowly starting to leak into popular culture. Last year they collaborated with Cartoon Network's Adult Swim team for the highly successful Chrome Children project. This year they released B-Ball Zombie War, a strangely titled soundtrack for Y2K Sports' upcoming 2K8 Video Game series. The compilation features songs with Talib Kweli, Q-Tip and MF Doom over J Dilla beats and new music by Stones Throw's roster of artists.
A new album means one thing... TOUR! And that's what we get tonight, as the Stones Throw crew heads into Philly for a show at the Starlight Ballroom/Club Polaris (460 N 9th Street). On the bill is label head Peanut Butter Wolf along with Madlib, Guilty Simpson, Percee P, J Rocc of the Beat Junkies, and jazz drummer/beatmaker Karriem Riggins. It's going to be a great night for hiphop!
Here are some cool clips for B-Ball Zombie War and Madlib's Beatconducta in India album:
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