2008: It's A Wrap!




Last year, when FF was just starting out, I ended the year with a bunch of lists. Lists featuring my favorite albums, songs, artists of 2007 and into 08. It's a full year later - hip hop had a good one, but as you can see above, we're still obsessed with popping bottles. When you raise your glass tonight, just pray that we can make it better. 

Oh, and do you like the new design? It's only half done, but you can thank the homie smokeYYY. Don't forget to peep the K-Murdock EP we put together. And rappers (especially those of you in the DMV), do not be offended if I left you off a list. (Remember: I'm only a DMV blog half the time). We're still cool, right?


GROU P A (Best Hip Hop/R&B Album of 2008)
1. The Roots – Rising Down
2. Q-Tip – The Renaissance
3. The Foreign Exchange – Leave It All Behind
4. Black Milk – Tronic
5. Al Green – Lay It Down
6. DJ Statik Selektah – Stick 2 The Script
7. Reks – Grey Hairs
8. Kidz In The Hall – The In Crowd
9. Erykah Badu – New Amerykah: Part One
TIE 10. Nas – Untitled & Panacea – A Mind On A Ship Through Time

GROUP B (Best Hip Hop Song of 2008) 
1. Black Milk – Losing Out (feat. Royce Da 5’9”)
2. Wale – Back In The Go-Go (feat. Bun & Pusha T)
3. Reks – Say Goodnight
4. Joe Budden – Who Pt. 1-3
5. DJ Statik Selektah – To The Top [Stick 2 The Script] (feat. Cassidy, Saigon, & Termanology)
6. KiD CuDi – Day N Nite
7. Ludacris – I Do It For Hip Hop (feat. Nas & Jay-Z)
8. Jake One – The Truth (feat. Freeway & Brother Ali)
9. T.I. – On Top Of The World (feat. B.o.B. & Ludacris)
10. Murs – Time Is Now (feat. Snoop Dogg)

GROUP C (Top Artists of 2008)
1. Royce Da 5’9”
2. Nas
3. Wale
4. Blu
5. Janelle Monae
6. Evidence
7. Murs
8. Reks
9. Phonte
10. Q-Tip

GROUP D (Artists for 2009)
1. Wale
2. B.o.B.
3. Jay Electronica
4. Che Grand
5. X.O.
6. Oddisee
7. Apple Juice Kid
8. 6th Sense
9. Colin Munroe
TIE 10. Nando., Lyriciss, Judah, RAtheMC, & Pro’Verb

GROUP E (Best Remix/Remake 2008)
1. X.O. – Rid’n (Remix feat. Wale & yU)
2. Zo! & Tigallo – Something About You
3. U-N-I – Beautiful Day (Remix feat. Big Pooh, Evidence, Aloe Blacc, Fashawn, Mickey Factz, Theo, & Kes Kaos)
4. Blu – Mars (Dela Remix)
5. Nicolay & Kay – Tight Eyes (Aeon Remix)
6. Busta Rhymes – Don’t Touch Me (Remixes 2.1 & 2.2)
7. Apple Juice Kid – Pop Champagne (Kenya Mix)
8. Kidz In The Hall – Drivin’ Down The Block (Remix feat. Pusha T, Bun B, & The Cool Kids)
9. The Package – Makin’ Waves (Kev Brown Remix)
10. Solange – I Decided (Von Pea Remix)

GROUP F (Top FF Highlights of 2008)
11.4.08: Election Night
7.26.08: Rock The Bells Boston
4.25.08: Hosting Oddisee/Kev Brown/Kenn Starr Concert at GWU
4.15.08: FF 013 – Oddisee
4.18.08: FF 014 – Nicolay & Kay
9.9.08: FF 015 – X.O.
10.28.08: FF 023 – Panacea
9.24.08: Red Bull Big Tune DC
3.7.08: FF SE – Che Grand
2008: Y'all made us more popular!

GROUP G (Best Producer of 2008)
1. Black Milk
2. DJ Premier
3. 88-Keys
4. DJ Statik Selektah
5. Nicolay
6. Oddisee
7. Mark Ronson
8. J Dilla (Yancey Boys)
9. 9th Wonder
10. Jake One

GROUP H (Best Hip Hop/R&B EP or Mixtape of 2008)
1. Wale – The Mixtape About Nothing
2. Zo! & Tigallo – Love The 80’s
3. Che Grand – Breakfast at Wimbledon
4. Tanya Morgan – The Bridge EP
5. Dumhi – Yoga At Home Vol. 1
6. Trackademicks – The [Re]Mixtape Vol. 2
7. X.O. – The Takeover Pt. 2
8. Janelle Monae – Metropolis: The Chase Suite
9. Mick Boogie – The Honor Roll
10. Theo – The Birth
Posted by jben.ok

MP3: Tabi Bonney - Rich Kids (Remix feat. Southeast Slim)


Hey! It's Tristan Wilds from The Wire! Now he's a *rich kid* on The CW

Southeast Slim shot this over this morning: a remix of Tabi Bonney's new single, "Rich Kids." Apparently DJ Alizay rocked it in the club last night, as well. Fire!


Posted by jben.ok

DOWNLOAD: K-Murdock - The Producer's Showcase EP


Artwork by Dylan of SOTL

*NOTE: THIS IS NOT AN OFFICIAL PANACEA/K-MURDOCK RELEASE*

When I first settled in DC last year, one of my first "industry" friends happened to be the producer K-Murdock - half of DC's own Panacea and host of Sirius/XM's progressive radio show Subsoniq. He's been a guest on Funkadelic Freestyles three times: twice on behalf of Panacea and the other appearance involved a guest co-host spot with Nicolay & Kay last April (a mere hour after he had interviewed them at XM!) A lot of hip-hop heads have made the mistake of looking over Panacea, but K-Murdock and Raw Poetic consistently remain two of the most talented cats in the genre. 

When K-Murdock visited our studio this past October to promote Panacea's new album A Mind On A Ship Through Time, he slipped me a disc featuring six songs he had produced for other rappers and a few cuts from some side projects he's working on. He gave me the go-ahead to liberate the cuts for the masses, but I figured I'd wait until around Christmas time to drop them. So here they are as a FREE download EP, presented by Funkadelic Freestyles & Start.Of.The.Line. Do your research on the side projects and the additional emcees. It's all about the mystery. (But special shouts to Random! Whaddup big homie!) Please remember to support the music of the artists included!

Tracklist:
1. Nicolay & Kay - As The Wheel Turns (K-Murdock Remix feat. Raw Poetic)
2. 51 Band - Spiritbomb (feat. Raw Poetic) [Prod. by K-Murdock]
3. Jay-Z - Say Hello (K-Murdock Streets of Rage Remix)
4. Random - The Beatdown [Prod. by K-Murdock]
5. Braille - Playing My Role [Prod. by K-Murdock and Cuts by Damu]
6. Ebony Bed - Skyscraper [Prod. by K-Murdock]


Posted by jben.ok

MP3: Judah - 2008 DMV Rap Up (feat. RAtheMC)



Don't sleep! Judah raps! I've gotta switch around my Best of Lists (dropping tomorrow!) based on this joint alone. And RA is so smooth on the singing at the end. In case you missed it (like me), here's last's year rap up courtesy of modi. 


Posted by jben.ok

VIDEO: Surock - Warning (feat. The Package, Enoch The 7th Prophet, & Kokayi)




The most educated hip-hop heads in the District combine for a certified banger produced by Surock. Featuring Noyeek and Dimes of The Package, Enoch The 7th Prophet, & Kokayi (Grammy-nominated). If you're in the DMV, support the record!


Posted by jben.ok

MP3: Termanology - Say It (feat. Sheek Louch, Joell Ortiz, Bun B, Saigon, & Freeway)


This joint is insane. That's all I really got say about it. The title + cover says it all = Term and some top 20 emcees over classic Dilla. The full tape, If Heaven Was A Mile Away (A Tribute To J Dilla), drops on Thursday to mark the start of the new year. Congrats to Termanology and Statik Selektah for REALLY putting Boston on the map this year....DC's next, right Wale?!


Posted by jben.ok

VIDEO: An Impromptu Performance By Oddisee




Straight from Peter Rosenberg's living room, earlier this evening. Supposedly a song Oddisee's working on and a beat he's been waiting to drop. And the "Rod" guy he's referencing on the cuts? That's none other than Low Budget fam DJ Roddy Rod. That's DC for ya!


Posted by jben.ok

MP3: Zo! & Asylum 7 - Overdue Process



On this Thursday, January 1st, 2009, Zo! & Asylum 7 will put their Detroit roots on full display with the release of their full-length album, Overdue Process. Trust me when I say this, it's the perfect project to kick off the new year. I've included the title track for download, as well as a look ahead at the future works of Zo!, courtesy of the man himself:

1. Zo! & Asylum 7 - Overdue Process (January 1, 2009)
This is an album that has long been talked about between myself and A7 (hence the title) and it has been a lotta fun seeing it grow and come to life. We hope this is one that you all enjoy listening to as we did creating it. Hip-hop + Live instrumentation + no cursing, does that even happen anymore?

2. Zo! - ...just visiting too (Early 2009)
I had so much fun making the first one, that I HAD to start on a second volume. Some of you have already heard the Jones Girls' "Nighis Over Egypt" and Don Blackman "Holding You, Loving You" re-creations from it. I was honored when Don Blackman showed love on the recreation (I sent him the mp3 of the song), what a wonderful feeling...

3. Zo! - SunStorm (Late 2009)
My tenth solo album.... Features Phonte, Sy Smith, Yahzarah and AB. All I can say is...I CAN'T WAIT TIL Y'ALL HEAR IT!!!!!!!
Posted by jben.ok

PODCAST: Young H Radio Best of 2008 Pt. 3-4



Young H delivers the final two parts of his Best of 2008 radio show. A very complete playlist worthy for your earbuds.  Check for my lists on Wednesday!

Part 3
Raphael Saadiq - Stayin' In Love
The Roots - I Cant Help It
Large Pro - Classic Emergency
B.O.B - Generation Lost
EMC - Say Now
Fresh Daily feat. 8thW1 - To My Homie
Panacea - Sirens
Ced Hughes - Blame It On Ced
Von Pea - And Rollerskates
Spec Boogie - S.B.
Reef The Lost Cauze - Squeeze
Special Teamz - Classical
Heltah Skeltah - Da Beginning Of Da End
Kidz In The Hall feat. Black Milk & Guilty Simpson - Middle Of The Map Pt. 2
Young Jeezy - Crazy World

Part 4
Dilla - Drive Me Wild
Elzhi feat. Royce Da 5'9 - Motown 25
Charles Hamilton - Ronald McDonald
Foreign Exchange - I Wanna Know
Guilty Simpson - Robbery
Lil Wayne - Dr. Carter
Musiq Soulchild - Special
Ice Da Villain - Rhymin 2nd
T.I. - No Matter What
Count Bass D - Neon Soul
Reks - How Can It Be
Finale - Motown 2K9
Al Green - Too Much
Solange - Dancing In The Dark
Danny! - After The Love Has Gone
Posted by jben.ok

MP3: X.O. & Benji - Uptown



Another new one from DC's Uptown's Finest, aka emcees X.O. and Benji. The first UPTF's EP drops (there will be five in all) in February, along with number two in May. X.O.'s newest solo project, Realmatic, drops in March, and Benji's own effort SSDD (Same Ol Shit Different Day) will be available on my burfday...April 20th. I'll be supplying all the leaks!


Posted by jben.ok

VIDEO: Nas - Queens Get The Money (Unofficial)




Over at Rappers I Know, I happened to spot this (presumably) fan-made video to the song "Queens Get The Money," produced by Jay Electronica and off Nas' Untitled. There's a lot of powerful imagery in this thing, and I certainly do recommend watching it. Though Jay has made it clear he had nothing to do with it...I wonder what he thinks about it. Oh, and you noticed Act II still hasn't dropped yet, right? All I can do is shrug and walk away *kicks a few stones for extra measure*. 

UPDATE: Apparently the video's creators had some problems with Vimeo. Check the new YouTube link and their message - 

Queens Get The Money Music Video's New Link 
To Whom It May Concern


In recent activity, your site took great risks in posting the video, "Queens Get The Money." 
We appreciated and were honored by your dedication to the freedom of speech and more importantly the new 
movement and spirit of the hip hop community that our video personified. Sadly, however, larger 'Powers' feel otherwise, and Vimeo.com 
has abruptly yanked the video from their site. 

Thankfully, Youtube, has been willing to cooperate and respect artistic freedoms that has allowed the video's
message to virally expand. (So far) . This video has taken over eight months to compile produce; the stories behind the clips, which 
will soon be explained, has many times brought our staff and friends to tears. 

We hope that you find this new home and link for "Queens Get The Money" a simple edit to your blog, and 
accept our apology for the confusion.
Posted by jben.ok

MP3: Freeway - As I Ever Been (feat. Hezekiah) [prod. by Oddisee]



I'm well aware that Philly rapper Freeway has been running this whole Month of Madness project (a new song every day of December), and I regret not posting anything earlier. In fact, with this one I'm LATE. This track dropped yesterday on the 25th, but I'm posting it now because I hope someone will notice that I fixed the huge typo in the tags. It's featuring HEZEKIAH, not Hesikya! Shout out to E Major who knows what I'm talking about, lol. Anyway, DC's Oddisee produced this joint and I can't keep myself from smiling whenever I see new work from dude. 


Posted by jben.ok

DOWNLOAD: L.E.G.A.C.Y. & DJ Flash - The NC Chainsaw Massacre



When I first got into 9th Wonder and Little Brother, I started to get hyped on this guy L.E.G.A.C.Y. (Life Ends Gradually And Changes You) for his work on The Listening and his appearance on 9th's Dream Merchant Vol. 1. Time has progressed (about five years) and the North Carolina's Justus League has only grown in popularity. So why hasn't one of their most talented members blown up yet? In a seemingly violent fashion, L.E.G.A.C.Y. enlists DJ Flash to prove to the fans that he's next. Peace to khal who made sure I didn't "sleep on the boy." As a bonus, pick up khal's new Kanye mix at rock the dub.

Tracklisting:
1.Intro produced by Soul Professa
2.Off The Man f/K Hill,Panama G.A.T. produced by Khrysis
3.Leatherface(freestyle)
4.That Me Shit f/Sean Boog produced by Khrysis
5.Heat Rises f/KAZE,Nervous Reck produced by Khrysis
6.I'm A Star(remix) f/Joe Scudda,Chaundon,Median produced by 9th Wonder
7.No Regrets pt 2 f/Lunatic Messiah,Spec Boogie,Dynas produced by K Hill
8.4 Cornered Room produced by Khrysis
9.freestyle
10.The Underworld pt 2 produced by Soul Professa
11.freestyle
12.Man Next Door produced by Dox
13.14 Grams produced by Khrysis 
14.freestyle
Posted by jben.ok
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