Hi everybody, here we go with another killer guest post. My man Hillel Cool J from Illmeasures.com read my rant about contemporary hip hop and he decided to make me change my mind with an astounding mix of REAL Hip Hop. Well done J! This is what we love about the web. Meeting cool people and sharing dope music. Don’t miss this mix and don’t forget to visit his site, he’s got plenty of goodies for you! peace – jopparelli
I’m honored and excited to be a guest blogger on Martini & Jopparelli this week. My love of music (especially hip-hop) began in the 80s and has been growing with each new exposure I’ve been blessed to grace my ears. It’s why I greatly appreciate sites like this one and attempt to give exposure to the music I love on my own website Illmeasures.
Joppa wrote a piece recently about the fact that rap sucks in 2009…”Where were you the day hip-hop died? Is it too early to mourn? Is it too late to ride?”… I’ve been thinking about that piece lately. Initially, if asked by someone that didn’t know hip-hop on what they should hear, I’d rattle off a list without thoughts: Tribe, De La, Rakim, Run DMC, Public Enemy, Grandmaster Flash, BDP, EPMD, Big Daddy Kane…I’d lead them to the incredible production of: Pete Rock, Marley Marl, Dr. Dre, DJ Premier, Prince Paul, the Bomb Squad. Man, I get all jazzed when I think about that golden era of hip-hop.
However, when I’m able to step back and give the question some thought… “yo, you got to check out Common, the Roots, Talib, Mos Def, Jean Grae”… “oh and right now there’s this group out of Portland, Blue Scholars”…”oh, and I was really feeling last year The Healing by Strange Fruit Project”… “and there’s Little Brother, Unspoken Heard, People Under The Stairs, Lupe Fiasco”…
People like Jay Dilla (R.I.P.), 9th Wonder, Dangermouse, A Kid Named Miles, Madlib, MF Doom, J-Zone, all just have sick beats these days…As you can see, when I think about it all, I could go on and on about both the old and new cats… but these are just words. They aren’t the music. Thus, I present to you my version of a celebration of those classic cuts I love, with a hint of the joy that hip-hop music still is:
LISTEN TO IT!
I hope it helps you love hip-hop as much as I do. Feel free to check out my other mixes through the website and the incredible house mixes by my fellow Chicago crew members. Thanks for the guest spot Joppa. I look forward to both the celebration and debate of music with yah.
Peace and Love, Hillel Cool J.
You should pay particular attention to the second track, Toni (now known as Tony) Esposito – Processione sul mare, it’s a wonderful Italian track. One day I hope to find the time to spread some great Italian music through one of my selections.
In the meantime watch this:
