Video: Mos Def f. Talib Kweli, “History”

These two have quite a bit of “History” together and this song is just a reminder of the majesty that was that Black Star LP. In fact, people probably ask either of them about a reunion on a daily basis, but that’s also not going to stop us from asking here. And by asking, we mean demanding. MAKE ANOTHER BLACK STAR ALBUM NOW PLEASE!

The Black Keys f. Mos Def & Jim Jones, “Hoochie Coo”

If anybody else was fiending for the backing track in the footage from the The BlakRoc Project we put up the other day, well here you go! Between the instrumentation of the Black Keys and the sing-songiness of the Mighty Mos, the song OOOZES soul. I was never much for Jimmy Jones, but I’ll admit that I am NOT mad at him on this song. I don’t know if its because his verse is actually good or it’s because Mos’ southern gypsy chant that has me in a trance, blinding my ears. And maybe it’s that same voice that’s allowing me to tolerate Dame Dash (for a moment) for putting this together.

Download: The Black Keys ft. Mos Def & Jim Jones “Hoochie Coo”

Dame Dash presents: The Blakroc Project

In the past few years, Dame Dash hasn’t really been a name to tie to a lot of great music projects. I hear his name and see a video link and figure its probably an old video of him going off in a label meeting, or telling stories on his ex-homeboy Jay-Z. I can admit that I haven’t been too fond of him personally, but I must say I’m quite fond of his latest endeavor. Coining it the Blakroc Project, he’s paired his “new favorite band,” The Black Keys (not that one) with hip hop artists The Mighty Mi (of Hi & Mighty), Mos Def, Rza, Pharoahe Monch, Raekwon, Jim Jones, Q-Tip, Billy Danze and Nikki Wray. You guys remember Nikki Wray, aka Nicole Wray…aka “Make It Hot”? Yes her! That said, this is definitely something I’m checking for. And from the footage and sound above, its seems like this is going to be one soulful album. The Blakroc Project is currently scheduled for release on Black Friday, November 27th.

Exclusive: Georgia Anne Muldrow, “Roses Pt. 2″

Georgia Anne Muldrow is some mystical studio wiz—her productions always sound simultaneously like she’s singing directly in your ear, and transmitting a missive from outer space. On “Roses Pt. 2,” the sequel to “Roses” (a track Mos Def recently copped for The Ecstatic), Ms. Muldrow sounds jubilant and spiritual, optimistic and funky as ever. This is from her latest album, Umsindo, which dropped yesterday on the internets and will hit what record stores remain next week (the same day as the Dudley Perkins record, which she also produced, and has similar Hendrix-lev psychedelic cover art).

Download: Georgia Anne Muldrow, “Roses Pt. 2″

Suite903 Podcast 001

1. Maxwell – Cold
2. Chrisette Michele feat. Ne-Yo – What You Do
3. Erykah Badu – Vibrate On
4. Mos Def feat. The Ruler – Auditorium
5. Sa-Ra Creative Partners – The Bone Song
6. Amerie – Why R U
7. Slum Village feat. Marsha Ambrosius – Cloud 9
8. Lorett Fleur (Yann Kesz remix) – Slam
9. Miles Bonny – JZS Children (Exclusive)
10. Ryan Leslie – You’re Not My Girl
11. Drake feat. Lykke Li – Little Bit
12. Mark De Clive-Lowe feat. Lady Alma – I Can’t Help It
13. Michael Jackson (Tangoterje Remix) – I Can’t Help It

Download: Suite903 Podcast 001

Download: Suite903 Podcast 001 (m4a version, chapters supported)

Mixed By OP!

Mos Def, “Casa Bey”

Mos Def is officially back on his grind. With his new movie, “Next Day Air” in theaters and a hard release date of June 9th scheduled for his new album The Ecstatic, the boogieman finally releases the first single “Casa Bey,” said to be inspired by Banda Black Rio’s “Casa Forte.” Listen to Mos’ tap dance-like rhyme scheme and try to keep up with his fancy lip-work.

Download: Mos Def, “Casa Bey”

Kanye West f. Mos Def & Freeway, “Two Words” (Unreleased)

Kanye West’s first album The College Dropout was full of potential singles, and videos, and therein ego boosters, but back before the glow of his Rocafella chain faded, he teamed up with directors Coodie & Chike to film a clip for “Two Words,” featuring Mos Def and Freeway. The video, which is a mix of stock footage and clips of the artists in their respective home cities flows like the opening credits of a tv show, listing everyone from the directors to West’s late mother to Michael Jordan, which in actuality, is why the video never made it to TV. Yeezy refused to remove the titles and says about the video, “even only 3 videos in the game…. I refused to compromise my vision”. Two words: “Thank you.”

Mos Def, “Say You Will” (Cover)

“Hey, hey, hey, heeeeeyyyy…” Say word, you will? Oh, you already did? Backed by RCDC Experiment, the Mighty Mos took to the stage of legendary jazz club The Blue Note back in January, treating the crowd to an extra special rendition of Kanye’s “Say You Will.” Pretty Flaco needed no autotune to make his version iller than ill, twisting up Ye’s electronic howl with his own singjay style like a late night spliff. Mos also grafts a verse from his own “U R the One,” tacking his own heartbreak onto Yeezy’s, proving once and forever more that misery does indeed love company. But the real question is, should it always sound this dope?

Download: Mos Def- “Say You Will” (Cover) / “U R the One”

Suite903 DJ: Ge-ology

Suite903: No.15

Back in the late 80’s under the name “DJ Plainterror”, GE-OLOGY was once the DJ/producer of a four member group “Born Busy” including high school friend, the legendary Tupac Shakur “MC New York”… uniquely cementing him historically as the only producer privileged to record Pac’s very first and earliest recordings. And in the early 90’s he co-founded the infamous “Dooable Arts” with Matt Reid aka “Matt Doo”, through which he first made his mark. Since then he’s become synonymously known for album cover art, T-shirt graphics, magazine illustrations and collaborative mural paintings with his fellow Barnstormers crew (a famed artist collective created by Davd Ellis aka SKWERM), as much as he’s known for producing tracks with the likes of Mos Def, Vinia Mojica, Talib Kweli, Sadat X, Pharoahe Monch, Jem, Mystic or his remixes for Pete Rock & Grand Agent. Boasting international acclaim, one of his most recognized paintings is the Rawkus classic “Body Rock” cover featuring Mos Def, Q-Tip and Tash from Tha Alkaholiks (featured in Andrew Emery’s “The Book of Hip Hop Cover Art” and listed at #3 in “EgoTrip’s Book of Rap List” 25 Great EP, 12″ & CD Single Covers section).

But to truly understand GE-OLOGY, one must not underestimate his influence, depth and versatility. Embracing the sacred principles and wisdom of great masters yet challenging convention with youthful rebellion, GE-OLOGY’s instinctual balance is somewhat of an anomaly in today’s clone driven mass-produced digitized society. His recognizable identity through sound, vision and consistency hasn’t gone unnoticed, thus resulting in a steady stream of exposure in numerous magazines such as XLR8R, The Fader, Frank 151, Style and Urb; cable network staple MTV News “You Hear It First”; and creative involvement in projects with international corporate giants such as Sweden’s Hennes & Mauritz (H&M stores) and the prestigious French cognac maker Hennessy. Though creatively venturing from the street level to infiltrating the creative commercial world, GE-OLOGY has never wavered from keeping his craft responsibly honest to the delight of longtime supporters… always maintaining his creative integrity. As evident in the barrage of fan mail from his international core audience, GE-OLOGY continues to open eyes… and this is only the beginning.

Ge-Ology Myspace

Download: Ge-Ology feat. Yukimi Nagano, “Blues Alley”

Download: Ge-Ology feat. Mos Def, “Superstar”