Tim Westwood’s vault of freestyle sessions is impressive and this one might be the finest moment of them all. Back in 1999, Eminem was just starting his reign as a rap superstar but hit Westwood’s show with Proof to shred mics for 13 minutes over LL Cool J’s “4,3,2,1” and Nas’ “Hate Me Now.” Listen to excellence. #RIPProof
Action Bronson and Roc Marciano lend the assist to AG Da Corner on “Park Avenue” off of his forthcoming album Sip The Nectar. If you’re expecting some grit and grime, you got it.
Anderson .Paak has been on fire lately and his latest album Malibu is easily one of the better albums out right now. But in this conversation with Cuepoint, Paak goes back a bit to tell the story of how he ended up working with both Dr. Dre and DJ Premier on “Animals” off of Dre’s Compton. Here’s a taste and you can read the rest here.
“Animals” was one of the tracks that I brought to Dre when I was working with him. I got the beat from DJ Premier and BMB Spacekid after a show we did in Russia with my group NxWorries. It was a Boiler Room show with DJ Premier and Spacekid on the track where I would be the vocalist. We did one track there and recorded it and it came out. They sent the other beat that they did and that was the beat for “Animals.” I told Premier when I got home I was going to write something to it. I had the line “These old sneakers / faded blue jeans” for some years now. When I heard that beat, I thought it was perfect for it. And this was before I had any intention of making it about the riots or anything that was going on. But all of these things were happening. I was laying that part that I had, and I remember seeing little shots of the riots and stuff. I was trying to write the verse and it just hit me that this is what it would be.
I cut it and went to the studio that night with Dre and my manager said “You should play him that Premier track.” I was kind of apprehensive at first, but I played it and he loved it. Right when I heard it, he was like “I gotta put a verse on this.” He threw a verse on there and called me the next day and said “I know this is your tune, but I want to know if I can use this for the album.” I got to see him develop the track. Premier flew out and they worked on the record together. I watched Premier pick out records to scratch for the hook. That whole moment was crazy, because I know they are big fans of each other. It was a special moment to be a part of something that these two longtime friends put out together.
After I brought him the Premier joint, Dre pulled me in the room and said “Yo, I fuck with you. I think you’re going to be great and I really appreciate your work on this.” He kind of broke it down that he was adamant about working with me and wanted me to be around and help with the process of the album. I was all for it. They would be working on tracks and would be like “Yo, can you write a hook for this?” I would just come in on sessions and would just jump in and help where I could. Some of the stuff I laid down just ended up staying. I had no clue what I was going to be on. It was definitely a decision that Dre saw through. I was just hoping to get one joint on the album. It was not until the pre-order was out that I knew all of these records were making it on the album. It was dope.
Your Old Droog pays homage to the intersection of Broadway and 42nd Street with “42 (Forty Deuce)” that deploys the Nu Shooz sample of “I Can’t Wait.”
Atlanta rapper Nick Grant grabs the South’s finest and they all crown themselves “Royalty.” Off of Grant’s upcoming project 88.
Dave East tackles Designer’s “Panda” and gives it an Eastmix for his latest outing.
Papoose drops the first single from his upcoming Hoodie Season 3 mixtape with the Ron Browz-produced “Sugar Honey Iced Tea (I’m With The Sh*ts).”
Legendary NYC crew, D.I.T.C. drops a new track featuring AG, OC and Fat Joe for the track “Diggin Number” which is produced by J Clyde.
Questlove and his encounters with Prince are legendary. This one is no different. Featuring “Finding Nemo,” Nigerian Afrobeat god Fela Kuti and a hot pink stretch Hummer, this is one of those tales you just have to hear to believe because who else would fire Questlove from a DJing gig and replace him with a Pixar movie?
Remember when there was a rumored remix to Kanye West’s “Black Skinhead” that featured Miley Cyrus? Well, it’s finally here for you to listen to as Miley is joined by Travis Scott on the remix that is produced by John Mayer, La Flame & Vinylz.