“You Should Go Home (feat. Bun B & Masspike Miles)”

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Since late in 2009, Emcee/Producer tandem Statik Selektah and Termanology have been hard at work on their landmark collaborative album 1982. Now New York transplants, Statik and Termanology both hail from Lawrence, Massachusetts and have worked together frequently throughout the last five years—yet 1982 marks their first full-length project together.

Named for the year they both entered the world 1982 is a Tour de force for these two underground hip hop moguls. Bun B, Inspectah Deck, Freeway, M.O.P. and even ‘Mr. X to the Z’ Xzibit headline the guest spots that read more like a wish list then an actual track list. After many individual successes over the past decade the two Lawrence, MA natives flex their collective muscle on 1982. The result is a powerhouse on par with any hip hop duo in the game right now.

The 1st leak from the album is the grimy headnodder “Goin Back” featuring  Xzibit &  Cassidy. A video is in the works for “Goin Back” with director John Colombo, who recently shot the video for the 1st official single off 1982 – “You Should Go Home,” which features Bun B & Masspike Miles. “Goin Back” appears as the B side on the single and both are available now.  1982 drops October 26th so mark your calendars now and in the meantime check out Statik and Term having some fun in their new home- Brooklyn, NY:

Never will this be more evident than on July 27th when Brick will celebrate their 100th release- Moe Pope’s stellar solo LP Life After God. Brick remains true to form with this one as they continue to put out some of the best independent hip-hop around. From God Complex (Brick’s 1st release) to 7L & Esoteric, The East Coast Avengers to Statik Selektah and underground legends MF Doom, MF Grimm and Mr Lif, Brick boasts a discography to rival any indie label out there.

BRK100 couldn’t be a better release to celebrate what Brick is all about. Moe Pope and producer Rain have teamed up to make an instant underground classic. Produced almost entirely  (Headnodic does supply the last beat) by upstart beatsmith Rain (who has laid tracks for Masta Ace, REKS, Blacastan, Day Laborers and others), Life After God is what contemporary hip-hop should sound like; not scared to take chances sonically but with it’s roots firmly planted in traditional Boom Bap and Rock. Moe’s at the top of his game effortlessly floating over Rain’s beats with his smooth, conscious flow. The duo enlists the vocals of fellow Beantown legends Edo. G and REKS, Punk crooner Chris Talkin and live instrumentation from Crown City Rockers alums. The result is an incredibly complete and sonically compelling album. In an age dominated by iTunes singles and MP3s players Life After God is a true album. Put it in, press play and enjoy.

Grab the hot single “Rock Me I” here while you wait for Life After Death to drop:

Moe Pope
“Rock Me I” (mp3)
from “Life After God”
(Brick Records)

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Grab a bunch more of Brick’s hot tracks after the jump…

Statik Selektah
“Critically Acclaimed (feat. Lil Fame of M.O.P., Saigon, Sean Price) [Radio]“ (mp3)
from “Critically Acclaimed b/w The Thrill Is Gone”
(Brick Records)

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Blacastan
“The Life of a Tape” (mp3)
from “The Dice Life / 3010″
(Brick Records)

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East Coast Avengers
“Kill Bill O’Reilly” (mp3)
from “Kill Bill O’Reilly – Let It Knock”
(Brick Records)

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Mantis
“What? (feat. Justis)” (mp3)
from “Still Life”
(Brick Records)

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Singapore Kane
“Mollywhopped (feat. Big Shug)” (mp3)
from “Living Militant”
(Brick Records)

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The wait is finally over. After dropping the lead single and lead-up EP late last year, the new Statik Selektah full-length is here! Featuring too many standout rappers to even list here Stat’s latest offering is a clear sign that he has taken his game to the next level. No longer just an underground beatmaker, Stat has truly become the new go-to producer laying down joints for albums by Lloyd Banks, M.O.P., Foxy Brown, Saigon and even executive producing The Grand Theft Auto IV soundtrack for Rockstar Games. While many producer-based hip hop albums end up sounding more like unofficial mixtapes, Stat’s  well developed style and expert mixing allow 100 Proof to avoid that pitfall. What we get instead is a soul-filled sample-laden banger. At 17 tracks this is a true LP, not some 7 track EP with few remixes tacked on.

100 Proof starts off smooth as butter with “So Close, So Far.” Bun B’s deep vocals flow over Stat’s laid back production easing us into the record. Wale also delivers a solid verse and Colin Munroe’s vocals fit nicely as a hook. Stat wastes no time getting in to this record dropping the lead single “Critically Acclaimed” next. Featuring Lil Fame, Saigon and Sean P this track really knocks. Exemplifying Stat’s signature style of big booming beats, deftly cut samples and live cuts and scratches “Critically Acclaimed” reminds us how Stat got where he is today. “Night People” is a real radio banger replete with an R&B chorus and a soul vocal sample. Expect to hear this one on Hot97 shortly. On “Drunken Nights” Reks, Joe Scudda and J.F.K. reflect on the mistakes made under the influence. Giving some real meaning to the album title this track remains easy to nod to while carrying a real message.

The track order is clearly thought out and of course well mixed, which allows 100 Proof to flow seamlessly from track to track. With so many different rappers it’s amazing Stat manages to pull off this feat. With beats ranging from the mellow “So Close, So Far,” to the upbeat and fun “Laughing” to the more gangsta “Follow We,” Stat showcases his range and versatility. Easily my #1 track “The Thrill Is Gone” features 2 of my favorite NY (now-not-so) underground rappers and a great Biggie sample cut over a laid back boom-bap beat. Styles P and Talib Kweli kill it as usual dropping their effortless flows over Stat’s musical accompaniment. There are no let downs at the end of this record as the last 6 tracks feature some of the best production. “The Coast” stands out and fits perfectly with Evidence, Kali and Fashawn’s west coast flows. Overall 100 Proof lives up to it’s name and further solidifies Stat’s place in the upper echelon of hip-hop producers.

Grab a copy of “Night People” to take with you:

Statik Selektah
“Night People (feat. Freeway, Red Cafe & Masspike Miles)” (mp3)
from “100 Proof (The Hangover)”
(Brick Records)

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Statik Selektah is back at it with his new lead-up EP The Pre-Game EP. Following the successful release of the single “Critically Acclaimed” Statik is building serious buzz for his upcoming LP 100 Proof (The Hangover) due out Feb. 2nd, 2010 on Brick Records. The Pre-Game EP is already selling well putting it at #28 on iTunes’ Hip Hop album charts. Featuring Statik’s signature style and some of the best emcees in the game The Pre-Game EP is just a taste of what we can expect from the full-length. With guest appearances on the upcoming LP from Talib Kweli, Wale, Bun B, Kool G Rap, Styles P, Freeway, Royce da 5’9″, Souls Of Mischief and many more you won’t wanna miss this one!

Here’s the single “Jaded” off The Pre-Game – EP:
Statik Selektah
“Jaded (feat. Joe Scudda, Truck North & Diz Gibran)” (mp3)
from “The Pre-Game – EP”
(Brick Records)

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And the official video as well:

Mantis
Album: Still Life
(Brick Records)
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Genre: Hip-Hop : Rap
Release Date: 7/21/09
UPC: 765481500233
Territory: World

“Possibly one of Canada’s freshest offspring of the love triangle between funk, soul, and hiphop, rapper/producer Mantis is the essence of urban music personified.” -from Mantis‘ Myspace

Highly melodic beats bump as Mantis deftly spits his intelligent yet accessible lyrics with the skill of a seasoned veteran. From the opening bars of Still Life it’s clear there’s a new force in Hip Hop coming to us from north of the border.

“Born on the 16th of September 1984, Mantis embodies the love of music passed down to him from his father, a guitarist in a local blues outfit and organizer of many celebrated jazz, blues, and funk festivals in the Southern-Ontario city of Kitchener/Waterloo. First picking up the drumsticks, then the microphone, then finally mastering the art of music production at the Trebas Institute in Toronto, Mantis represents the finest in hiphop culture in all that he creates.” -from Mantis‘ Myspace

Having already produced tracks for the likes of JD Era, Shad K and Point Blank, Mantis is no newcomer to the up and coming Canadian hip hop scene. His track “I Don’t Like To” was the lead single to Shad K’s 2008 Juno Award nominated album – The Old Prince. With guest appearances on Still Life supplied by Rufus John, Justis, Hajah Bug and others there’s no doubt that Mantis in the middle of the freshest hip hop coming out of Canada today. Unfortunately for Mantis and his collaborators, Canadian hip hop still faces a huge challenge when breaking into the American market. Only a few Canadian hip hop artists such as Kardinal Offishaal have achieved any success in America.

Though firmly rooted in the present Mantis‘ sound is more mid-90′s new school than current day. His combination of live instrumentation, soulful samples and melodic flow fit more closely with The Roots than Lil’ Wayne. His Lyrics are thoughtful and well crafted without becoming overly wordy. Mantis is clearly steeped in hip hop history and has an amazing sense for blending the past and present. Likewise he carefully toes the line between indie and mainstream referencing and even partially quoting Jay-Z while also sampling Common. From the classic soul samples of “You Don’t Know” to the musical layering on “Bounce Back” Mantis displays production talent to match the best in the industry. Combine this with his cool melodic flow and you have the best up and coming rapper/producer since Kanye West.

Mantis has already opened up for Canadian hip hop’s biggest star Kardinal Offishaal as well as the K-Os, Jeru the Damaja, and CL Smooth. His talent is undeniable and his craft is clearly honed and ready. The question is whether or not the hip hop world is ready for Mantis. The answer is yet to be determined, but one thing is clear: It is time for American hip hop fans to look to the north and embrace our Canadian neighbors.