Mood Music:

Timeless.

"They caught the vapours" - Biz Markie

Video: Jay-Z Recalls How Record Labels Thought He Was ‘Terrible’

Jay-Z - MTV Shows

From MTV’s vaults:

“I went to every single record label, and they was like, ‘This guy is terrible. He’s nothing,’ ” Jay told MTV News prior to the release of The Blueprint in 2001. “I had to put [Reasonable Doubt] out myself, because nobody would sign me.”

That was back in 1996, when Roc-A-Fella records was born, not out of entrepreneurial expansion but, as Hova made clear, out of necessity. “I would press up singles and go to the record stores myself, collect $100, $200, come back, give them some more records,” he recalled. “It started like that.”

Jay wasn’t embittered by his struggle, though. If anything, it gave him a sharper perspective on the music business. “It made me appreciate it so much more,” he said. “No one gave me anything. They didn’t give me a record deal. I really just took my time and grew it step by step by step by step. I could have easily been like, ‘Maybe what I’m talking about ain’t right! Nobody wants to sign me!’ That would have stopped the suffering. But I didn’t.”

Classic Material: Horace Brown - One For The Money

Every corner you turn nowadays all you hear is recession. Recession this! Recession that! I for one have decided to go the route of the optimist and stay positive. Really does it make sense to get your nerves in a bunch? Or take the proactive approach and stay grinding? If you're like me you've already chosen the high road. So for all my hustlers this song is dedicated to you.

Castro

Classic Material: Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx

In 1995 when Only Built 4 Cuban Linx aka the "purple tape" was released the game was forever changed. Wu Tang Clan members Raekwon & Ghostface Killah took listeners on a journey through Staten Island with tales of raw and uncut street life. OB4CL is credited with giving birth to the mafia inspired rhyme styles during the period of '95-'97. A classic from beginning to end. Get reacquainted.

Raekwon Ft. Ghostface Killah - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx

Incarcerated Scarfaces


Verbal Intercourse Ft. Ghostface Killah & Nas


Ice Cream Ft. Method Man, Ghostface Killah & Cappadonna

Classic Material: Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth - The Main Ingredient

The dynamic duo hailing from Mount Vernon, New York were in top form when The Main ingredient dropped in 1994. Providing such classics as "take you there","I got a love" and my personal favorite "the main ingredient" The Mecca and the soul brother dropped jewels over crisp snares and soulful samples. Definitely an album to add to the collection. Shout to Mr. Ceaser for hooking it up.

Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth - The Main Ingredient

I Got A Love

Take You There

The Main Ingredient

Classic Material: A Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Marauders

The year is 1993. A Tribe Called Quest consisting of members Q-tip, Phife & Ali Shaheed Mohammed took listeners on a "Award Tour" with their certified classic Midnight Marauders. From the artwork to the skits Marauders was and still is considered an album ahead of it's time. Enjoy.

A Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Marauders

Award Tour ft Trugoy

Electric Relaxation

Lyrics To Go

Classic Material: Royal Flush - Ghetto Millionaire

Royal Flush - Ghetto Millionaire

I thought I'd take it back with some classic material from QB's own Royal Flush. This album is chock full of gems and one that all real heads should have in their collection. Heavily slept on but never forgotten.

Moving On Your Weak Production(Produced By The Beatminerz)

Shines(Produced By Hi-Tek)

Worldwide(Produced by L.E.S)

Iced Down Medallions ft. Noreaga(Produced By Ez Elpee)

B.I.G Tribute Bonus: DJ Mike Nice - Broooklyn Bullshit (Mixtape)

01. Notorious B.I.G - Intro
02. Shakespeare - KingsCounty (Brooklyn Bullshit Anthem)
03. biggie spittin at 12
04. biggie - music video box freestyle
05. biggie - soul power197 rhymes
06. Fulton St. battle at 17
07. big daddy kane & jayz - bday party freestyle 9-10-91
08. biggie - guranteed raw
09. big daddy kane/kool g rap - raw (demo)
10. jay-z/sauce money - rippin it up
11. big daddy kane - aint no half steppin (demo)
12. biggie - blind alley freestyle (demo)
13. biggie-i love you (teenage recording)
14. biggie - dont love no hoe
15. jay-z/sauce money - nothing but love (demo)
16. biggie - biggie got the hype shit (demo)
17. big daddy kane - raw attitude (unreleased)
18. jay-z - high powered (at age 17)
19. jay-z/sauce money - broken english & drug selling (demo)
20. notorious big - party and bullshit (extended version)
21. biggie - 16 bars at the lyrical lounge in 1993
22. jay-z - whats in a name (demo)
23. big daddy kane - sing my song (unreleased)
24. jay-z - pass the roc
25. big daddy kane - set it off (unreleased remix)
26. big daddy kane - for your own concern (demo)
27. biggie - childhood rhymes
28. jay-z - greatest mc (demo)
29. biggie/sadat x - come on (1st take demo version)
30. biggie - niggaz bleed
31. notorious big - big millionaire (unreleased verse)

DJ Mike Nice - Brooklyn Bullshit(Mixtape)

The perfect top off. Unreleased music by BK's finest. Props to OS

Morning Inspiration: James Brown - Sunny

A few months ago I was on Youtube looking for inspiration and I stumbled upon this. At the time my mind was everywhere and nowhere at once. I was low, doing my best to maintain. Nothing like soul music for the "soul" I present to you The man, the legend, the entertainer James Brown performing "Sunny."

Rise and shine.