Jay Electronica - Prelude to a Freestyle

Because I'm a sucker for everything this guy does. Also the Devil in a New Dress beat. Gets me every time.

Jay Electronica x Jay Z - Shiny Suit Theory

Finally new Jay Elect. While this one doesn't have the jaw dropping ability of earlier tracks like Exhibit C or Eternal Sunshine, it hits all the right pleasure centers. And that beat is crazy, like his old stuff with minimal drums and the rhythm is found simply in the ultra strong cadence of the raps.

Also Jay Z is showing interest in rap again. Not in the 'OMG i cant believe he signed Jay Electronica! reaaallll hip hop, realllll hip hop' wankery, but in the sense that he seems like hes trying again. Over the past couple of months, especially in his stuff with Kanye (So Appalled and The Joy, specifically) there seems to be a spark back in his voice, like he feels more energized, not trying to dumb down for his audience to double his dollars quite so much. What can I say, I'm appreciative!

Jay Electronica - Shiny Suit Theory (ft. Charlotte Ginsberg & The Dream)

Dear Jay Electronica,

Dear Jay Electronica
I’m writing this open letter to ask if you can finally post the full video for Dear Moleskine. This is one of my favourite songs of yours, despite the fact that as far as I’m aware, there’s no CDQ floating around the net. I’ve watched the teaser so many times now and I think it’s probably one of the most beautiful and captivating visuals I’ve ever seen for a hip hop song. I just have to see the rest of it.

I know that it’s probably for that multimedia project you’re putting out and I understand that you probably want to keep a lot of that under wraps for now. But seriously, the teaser was posted over a year ago. Its unkind to leave that much of a gap between that and the finished product.

I understand that you’re always going to take a little longer with your work and that’s fine. I don’t care that Act II was meant to come out over 6 months ago because if you don’t think it’s ready or its not the right time, that’s fine. Rappers these days are putting out too much stuff, too quickly, with not enough thought involved, so its good to hear something that has had heart and consideration put into it.

Anyways, just like to say I’m a massive fan. I’ve been hooked since first hearing Act 1 in its entirety and since then, everything you’ve released has impressed. Furthermore, I saw you play live at Bonnaroo this year and I gotta say it was one of the best concerts I’ve seen from any genre, not just hip hop. When everyone went nuts when you did Abracadabra, it was seriously amazing. Plus Gobstopper is my favourite Donut. Good luck with the upcoming album, or mixtape, whether its Act II or not. I’m sure it will be great and I can’t wait to hear it. Give my regards to Erykah, she’s released some awesome music and videos this year.

Sincerely,
72

Donut Shop

Fresh out the fryer, are some new donuts from the god himself, James Yancey Dilla. Well fresh to the internet at least, the man unfortunately passed away nearly 4 years ago. However due to the reportedly vast archives of unreleased material he amassed, Stones Throw have seen fit to collaborate with Serato Records to put out a few unheard tracks along with some of his more famous instrumentals from the past few years including the one for Q-Tips awesome track (and video) Move.


You can cop these new Donuts by clicking HERE and while you're at it, head over to Pitchfork to read and listen to a surprisingly good summary of Dilla's legacy and the reasons behind his enduring idolation and influence.

Also of note is the Timeless series that has been done in his honour, entitled "Suite for Ma Dukes" (his mother). These orchestral interpretations are simply amazing, capturing the heart and soul of the originals. Do try to track down both the videos and purchase the EP.


J Dilla was a producer who never truly received his due while he was alive, but his music will continue not only to speak for itself, but inspire others long after he is gone. RIP Dilla.


J Dilla - Gobstopper
Slum Village - Fall in Love
Janet Jackson - Got till its Gone (Ft. Q-tip)

24 Hour Karate School

At this point in time it seems like 72waystosuckatdancing is spending most of its time yelling about promised projects that have fallen off the radar. And in that vain we continue today with Ski Beatz' 24 Hour Karate School tape. This particular project was formed in the dungeons of Dame Dash's DD172 complex with Ski Beatz working with which ever rappers happened to be passing through, which usually include Mos Def, Jay Electronica, Jim Jones, the current Cheech & Chong of rap; Curren$y & Wiz Kalifa, S.T.A.L.L.E.Y and The Cool Kids.

Everything that has been let out from this tape has been absolutely banging. Prowler 2 is simply one of the best posse cuts I've heard in yonks, with Jay Electronica staggering all over the beat like a drunken master and Jean Grey simply tearing the track to shreds. New leak scaling the building has one of the catchiest beats in a while too plus the very hot right now Cheech and Chong combo that worked so well for the How Fly Tape.



Problem is this tape was hinted at for ages and promised to all on March 30th. That day came and went with a general air of confusion on the internets as there was no sign of it and the eventual excuse came of sample problems. New work on the street according to Nah Right is Sept. 7

Ski Beatz - Scaling the Building (ft. Currensy and Wiz Kalifa)
Ski Beatz - Prowler 2 (ft. Jean Grey, Jay Electronica, Joel Ortiz & Mos Def)