Recorded at the Bug Jar in Rochester, NY, March 2011, when we had YC The Cynic up for an event with Ithaca’s Gunpoets. This 9-song EP is YC’s entire set from start to finish and captures his indefinite skills. If you’ve never seen him live yet, this should be all the proof you need to know this cat can rock the party. Let this hold you over until his album drops in February. Holla.

Track List:
1. Kick Back
2. State I.D.
3. Fall FWD
4. Boom Bap Is Back
5. Acapella
6. The Harder
7. Say Superman (acapella)
8. Return Of The Slick
9. Unconcious

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Alex Ng of Don’t Beat Records.

Download: ‘Live From The Bug Jar’ – YC The Cynic

This week features interviews with Jay High of the Gunpoets and Tee-S! We feature The Gunpoets’ ‘I-Town Remixes’ and talk to Tee-S about his soon-coming mixtape and his event with Action Bronson, amongst all the other topics we cover. Listen in.

Background music from Audible Doctor’s ‘Spread’ EP

Patrice O Neal Intro
Big Punisher ft. Black Thought – ‘Super Lyrical’
Zion I & The Grouch ft. Chali 2na – ‘Too Much’
Hassaan Mackey ft. DJ Nugz – Freestyle (Live)
Ruste Juxx & Marco Polo – ‘Death Penalty’ (Live)
Laws ft. Emilio Rojas & Big K.R.I.T. – ‘Hold You Down’
George Watsky – ‘Stupidass’
YC The Cynic – ‘Fall FWD’ (Live)
**Jay High Interview**
The Sutras – ’1,000 Criminals’ (The Gunpoets Remix)
Jimkata – ‘Devil’s In The Details’ (The Gunpoets Remix)
John Brown’s Body – ‘Heart & Soul’ (The Gunpoets Remix)
Asher Roth ft. Action Bronson – ‘Choices’ (Prod. Blended Babies)
Pharoah Monche – ‘Clap/One Day’ (Prod. M-Phaze)
Rich Malone & Rediculus – ‘The Malone Payback’ (Live)
**Tee-S Interview**
Tee-S ft. Maggz – ‘Fast Life’ (Prod. Maggz)
Tee-S – ‘Interlude’ (Prod. Woody)
Lava The Freshnerd ft. Emmy – ‘Russell’s Room’
Azariah – ‘Million Miles Away’
DreMur – ‘#MomentOfClarity’
Tone Rose, Puppet The Grimey & I.D. – ‘Buried Alive’

Download: The Influence Mixtape Radio Show #24

2011 was a big year for Hip-Hop. We saw a group of 4 underground misfits shake up the world to the point they went major. We saw two Hip-Hop icons drop a combo album. We saw the return of many old hip-hop heads to the scene (Shout out to you all!!). We lost a few legends. We saw some new talent finally debut on the scene worthy of mentioning and we wish them long and prosperous careers. Most of all we saw a switch in hip-hop where commercial success wasn’t only based on pop appeal as in years past but in a few cases the material had no pop appeal but it just connected with the public. That’s the hip-hop we love! When you hear someone talk about the 80′s and 90′s that’s what they meant. Real every day stories, real every hardships.

I speak for myself and everyone involved with SHHN when I say “Thank you”! In the four years of running this website domain we’ve never had a better year, most of it due to our loyal readers and those out there on twitter who just keep spreading the word. I want to thank the numerous sources that provide most of the content you read here. Our goal was to unify the best in Hip-Hop and after the many evolutions of this website I feel we have reached that point. I want to thank the Public Relations folks, the managers, producers, the artists themselves, this could not be possible without you. I wish you and your families memorable holidays and an amazing 2012. We’ll be here bringing you the best in hip-hop.

-A/D

We’ve got a mix of music your momma likes this week and Audible Doctor gives us an exclusive interview where we talk about what he’s been doing since leaving Fat Beats, Casmik, Action Bronson, what goes into his production and info on his latest project, ‘Persuance’, featuring his fellow Brown Bag AllStar – Soul Khan.

Playlist:
Pharaoh Monche ft. M.O.P. – ‘Show No Mercy’
El Gant ft. BeKay – ‘You Ain’t This’ (Cuts By DeeJay Element)
Richard Pryor – ‘Niggers vs. The Police’
Danny Brown – ‘Blunt After Blunt’
Crosses – ‘This Is A Trick’
Frank Ocean – ‘American Wedding’
Fresh Daily – ‘DoWhatTheyWont’
Mike G ft. Vince Staples – ‘Vicks’
David Dallas – ‘Take A Picture’
**Audible Doctor Interview**
Soul Khan – ‘Someone’s Pocket’ (Prod. Audible Doctor)
Pat Streater – ‘Potential’
Rey Hook – ‘Change My Tune’
Action Bronson & Statik Selektah – ‘The Stick Up’
El Gant ft. Big John & Kool Keith – ‘Disruptin The Game’
Tweeksin & Ransak The Pest (K.O.S.) – ‘Hallucinogens’
JD Riggz – ‘Bad’ (Prod. DJay Cas)
Lava The Freshnerd ft. Moses Rockwell & Volatile – ‘We Came To Party’ (Prod. Beat Faktory)
Soul Khan Freestyle ft. Sam.I.Am The Son
Reece Q – ‘Jazz Couplets’

Download: The Influence Mixtape Radio Show #22

Deadest Rapper Alive: The Rise of Lil Wayne and the Fall of Urban Youth by Pastor Jomo Johnson

Chapter Excerpt: Click here

To purchase: Click here

Today we bring you an interview with Pastor Jomo Johnson author of the afformentioned book.

Q: What first sparked the idea for the book?

A: In early 2010 I had the idea to work on a website that showed the declining state of Hip Hop in general. It was somewhat of a deeper study of Nas’ 2006 statement that Hip Hop was dead. As a Pastor and Hip Hop fan, I wanted to explore more deeply those themes that was causing many to consider Hip Hop music a dying genre. But because my former web developer was not able to produce and adequate site, and also because of my busyness with beginning a church, I had to shelve the project.

But one thing stood out to me during my research for the topic. I remember seeing Wayne’s video for his song 6 Foot 7. I was watching it for research. It was my real first exposure to a Lil Wayne video in years. After seeing the first few seconds, I immediately burst into tears. (Sobbing tears.) It was if I could see, taste, and feel the tremendous negative influence he was going to have on millions of people.

Q: What changes did you notice were the result of lil wayne’s influence? 

A: Upon starting Philly Open Air Church in North Philadelphia, I began seeing some things in the urban setting. Most of the young men were not simply Lil’ Wayne fans, but fanatics. They quoted his words, imitated his style, and patterned his lifestyle. I began to notice that he, more than Ross, Jeezy, Jay Z, Eminem, or any other popular rapper was leaving an indelible impression upon these young men and girls. I’ve had teens come to me and confess using prostitutes, seen animal torture, extreme vulgarity toward young girls, and so son. And one common theme (not the only theme) was that they were seeking to follow Wayne.

Q: Are these influences more the cause of lil wayne as an individual or what the music industry has elected to glorify and market?

A: That is a great question. And before I answer let me say this. When people hear that a “pastor” wrote a book on Lil’ Wayne they probably immediately think of some old, overweight, black Baptist preacher in a suit and tie. I am none of those things. I am 31 years old, rarely wear suits, and truly enjoy and have enjoyed Hip Hop music for most of my life. I have been a student of rap music for almost 15 years and am familiar with the Too Shorts’, NWA’s, and Tupacs’. I understand the sociological aspects of these rappers and can relate to some of it and also understand it to be problematic as well.

But with Lil’ Wayne, there is a spiritual dynamic that he has that I say is even greater than Tupac. (Partly because of internet and multimedia that wasn’t as prevalent during Tupac’s day.) Wayne is the first bonafide Rap/Rock star. He is a crossover. No other artist has been truly seen as such. His influence has touched the Rock/Rap/Ballad genres. This makes him the most mainstream artist to date. And all the while his message is the most deplorable, depraved, and dark that I’ve ever seen. (And this comes from a former Brotha Lynch Hung fan.) His music proposes gang rape, man-worship, pedophilia, prostitution, and blasphemy. But Wayne is able to say it in such a way that makes you laugh and therefore lighten the offensiveness. I’ve never seen an artist like him.

The Industry does and will always be capitol centered. But you know, if Black Power rap was profitable, you’d see the industry push it. I truly believe that the industry doesn’t make what is popular, they only capitalize on it. Creative artists will always be the power behind the industry. So while the industry does bare a brunt of the blame, personal artists bare an even greater responsibility.

Q: Why do you think young urban men gravitate so much towards Lil Wayne’s message or lifestyle?

A: The main appeal of Wayne is found in the mantra of Aleister Crowley the famous Satanist. In one of the Crowley’s written work, I titled Thelema, he wrote, “There is no law beyond. Do what you will.”  Lil’ Wayne’s greatest appeal is that he perpetuates and personifies the teaching of Crowley in everything he says and does. Therefore he give his followers, especially young black and urban men, the right to “do as they will”. Even Tupac, who I mentioned before to also be problematic in many ways, had a conscious side. Tupac and many other Gangsta Rappers, struggled with the pull of right and wrong and often wrote about it. Wayne is a new breed of not immoral, but amoral rappers, in which there is no such things as right or wrong. Therefore he says, and does what he wants while thousands of his most vulnerable fans do the same.

Q: What other artists do you believe also feed into this negative influence?

A: I have to say that from the rappers I’ve studied, there is no one that comes close to Wayne. No one. He truly (as he himself will state) is on another planet when it comes to cultural and moral influence on urban culture and youth. My book proposes that he is the greatest moral influence upon urban youth in the 21st century. I dare anyone to challenge that claim.

Though there are some that are attempting to follow in that same breath. Some that come to mind are Rick Ross and Young Jeezy, who often uses spiritual terms, ‘Holy Ghost’ and ‘Hallelujauh’. They may not know it but that is considered sacrilege. Many rappers who do that soon fall. Remember Remy Ma – Shesus Christ, or Tupac’s Cruxifiction cover on Makaveli.

I have listened to a few songs by Lil’ B and had to turn it off. He is not very talented lyrically and his blasphemy was contrived. But even he is having somewhat of an influence in the same vein as Wayne to “Do as you will.” I recently have seen Bow Wow’s new image and listened to some of his music. I was mad when I listened to some of his new mixtape. As talented as he is, lyrically, acting etc, he has chosen to follow the same route as other YMCM artists. Now he’s rapping hard although he’s been a child star since he was 7 years old. So now, he’s introducing his former teenie bopper fans to some of the similar themes as Lil’ Wayne. His music and image are fraudulent and he should be called out for it.

So again, while there are many negative influences in Hip Hop, Wayne is the top.
Q: In an era where artistry has been replaced by the selling of exploits and a love for money do you think it affects the urban perception on a larger scale? 

A: Dr. Boyce Watkins from Syracuse University speaks on this well. (Watkins is black scholar, sociologist, and fan of Hip Hop.) He states that often the black culture will excuse other blacks because they make money. I believe that there are some inherently wrong practices in the urban community from the top down and there will always be wrong. But many people will excuse Wayne because he is another black brother. I know when our Church was displaying my book outside, one of the critiques we got from a bypasser was, “He’s just trying to make a dollar.” The excuse was basically, that we shouldn’t hold him accountable because of the necessity of money. This type of thinking is a common perception. Part of my job as a Pastor is to show people they are accountable for what they do and there are consequences for everything they do.

Q: Who do you think is responsible for teaching the youth the reality of life versus the rockstar life they are so attracted to? 

A: I speak about these issues in the Book. It starts with 2 institutions: The parents and the churches. I will bypass the parent argument because we are all familiar with what parents need to do but don’t often do. So I’ll talk about the church. The white church has in large not addressed the issues addressing urban and black youth. I go to a very prestigious seminary and they seldom talk about things going on in North Philadelphia or the spiritual challenges that we are facing. There are still inherent traces of racism in the white churches that has prevented many able and capable ministers from pouring out their lives for urban and black youth. (We need more David Wilkerson’s R.I.P.)

And also the black church plays apart in this. We haven’t done our job in studying the culture, praying like crazy, suffering, and allowing God to use us to reach this generation. Many black pastors and ministers have demonized hip hop as a valid spiritual medium and therefore cut off the chance of conversation and interaction with many they are trying to reach. Also,many black churches over the last 15 years have become health and wealth centered that they have forgotten what it means to suffer for the greater good. It takes personal tears to do ministry. To see the hurt, afflicted, and wounded urban youth and not cry over them should disqualify any from doing urban ministry. If you don’t feel God’s pain, then you’ll never truly get involved in the fight. This book is David taking a few stones and beginning to go against Goliath.

Chapter Excerpt: Click here

To purchase: Click here